- MITCH M. LIPA
After several months of visiting barangays of Victorias City and holding consultations and dialogues with residents, Javier Lopez Benitez, the eldest son of former congressman Albee Benitez, said he is now inclined to serve his kasimanwas in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
Javi said this in an interview at the launching of a non-political group, Baskog Victorias, at the Bantug Farm in Daan Banwa, Victorias, on June 26.
The group envisions to facilitate an avenue for Victoriahanons to have “inclusive collaborations with honest, credible, and competent leaders”.
Javi told Baskog Victorias that if ever he decides to run in the city, he wants to promote an active and dynamic leadership for a progressive city, adding that this vision is aligned with the group’s mission of having programs that are community-centered, alongside leaders who are honest, credible, and competent.
The young Benitez, who participated in the various charity works his mother, Dominique “Nikki” Lopez Benitez, initiated in Victorias, said he saw the needs of people in every barangays he had visited.
Meanwhile, his uncle, Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, who also attended the launching, said that as of this time, he is also inclined to continue his service to the people of the third district.
The solon added that there are lots of things he needs to fulfill as what he had promised in 2019.
On the issue of flooding, Benitez said the plans and programs presented by the local governments of Victorias, Silay, Talisay, and EB Magalona were already presented to concerned national agencies and Malacañang.
All he is doing now, the congressman said, is to help look for funds in the implementation of the flood mitigating measures of every LGU.
This is aside from the ongoing dredging and expansion of waterways being implemented by the LGU affected by the floods early this year.
Congressman Benitez admitted that his brother, Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, is also inclined to serve the community he intends to help. But it is only the former solon who can decide what position he will seek in next year’s elections, he said.
The former congressman of the third district has transferred his voter’s registration record from Victorias to Bacolod City and is being urged by some groups and personalities to run for mayor.
Team Benitez has also been visiting different barangays and conducting dialogues and consultations, and helping victims of fire and other calamities in Bacolod City.
The Baskog Victorias launching was also attended by board members Ryan Gamboa and Juvy Pepello, presidents of the Philippine Councilors League-Negros Occidental and of the Liga ng mga Barangays in Negros Occidental, respectively. – MML
