• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, a congressional aspirant for the Negros Occidental third district, has pledged to continue the “Benitez legacy” in the district, which was started by his father, Alfredo Abelardo, and his uncle, Jose Francisco.
Benitez also bared his “Asenso plus” programs, which aim at bringing more development to the district through infrastructure projects and services for the people, during his speech in a “Miting de Avance” held at the Victorias City Public Plaza Saturday night.
If elected to the position, the 30-year-old mayor, who will be the youngest congressman of Negros Occidental, told the youth who were present that “it is now our time”.
“We are not going to be living for today. But today, we will lead to ensure that our tomorrow will even be brighter. Many years from now, we will be living in a world that we create,” Benitez said.
“Let tomorrow lead today,” he added.
One of his “Asenso plus” programs is the establishment of tourism circuit road network, which will connect all the tourism sites and destination of Victorias City, Silay City, Talisay City, E.B. Magalona, and Murcia for easy access to tourists and residents.
Others include the construction of arterial roads to national highway, urban thoroughfares, viaduct and coastal road system in congested business districts to further improve urban mobility, integrated transport network, urban drainage system, more day care centers to further strengthen early childhood education programs, and indigenous people multi-purpose centers.
Benitez said he will also pursue big ticket projects started by his uncle, Jose Francisco, who is now the director-general of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, among these the Negros Occidental Convention Center, which will elevate the status of third district as a host to big conventions and conferences, both local and international.
Local officials and supporters came together on Saturday amid rains to show their unwavering trust in Benitez.
The “Miting de Avance” was also attended by his mother Nikki, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, his vice gubernatorial running mate Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, Abang Lingkod partylist number one nominee Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, reelectionist Board Member Andrew Montelibano, board member aspirant Rolin Meliton.
Also present were Team Asenso of E.B. Magalona led by incumbent Mayor Marvin Malacon and his son, Matthew Louis, who is a mayoral aspirant; Team Asenso of Talisay City led by Mayor Neil Lizares, and his wife Rowena Lopez Lizares, also a mayoral candidate; Team Asenso of Silay City led by former Mayor Mark Golez, Team Asenso of Victorias led by Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, who is also running for mayor, and Team Asenso of Murcia led by reelectionist Mayor Gerry Rojas. | GB
