• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Victorias City government has secured a P1.086 billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to fund the construction of the new government center (NGC) at the 25-hectare Sidlak Victorias Global City (SVGC) in Hacienda Loreto, Barangay XIII, as well as other projects, Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said.
“We have made a crucial decision to secure a loan from the DBP (that is) an investment in our future, (and) an acceleration of priority programs, projects, and activities that will touch the lives of every Victoriasanon,” Benitez said at the groundbreaking ceremonies for the NGC, residential complex, and Sidlak land development at the SVGC April 25.
He said a certification was issued by the Department of Finance-Bureau of Local Government Finance that Victorias has the capacity to pay the loan, with the agreement signed between the city and the DBP March 24.
Benitez said the city’s funds are not enough to implement the many projects and services envisioned for its residents and the generations to come, hence the billion-peso loan.
Aside from the P550-million NGC, other projects to be funded by the loan include roads and drainage for the SVGC, P200 million; improvement of the Victorias City Coliseum, P162 million; construction of a motor pool building, P84 million; purchase of land for socialized housing project, construction of sanitary landfill, and Philippine National Police regional training center, P45 million; and purchase of vehicles for government use, P45 million.
Meanwhile, Benitez said the three-storey NGC, with a total of 7,120.50 square meters across its floors and roof deck, is expected to be finished by May 2027. It will house the executive and legislative branches, alongside key administrative offices, consolidating government services into a single and well-planned complex… (and is) a forward-looking civic space that enhances governance, urban development, and local identity.
“Our current City Hall has long outgrown its original design and capacity. This NGC seeks to accommodate our city’s growing population and government workforce, ultimately improving public service delivery, optimizing inter-office coordination, and promoting convenience for both constituents and employees,” the mayor said in his speech.
The Sidlak land development, on the other hand, covers total land area of 1,500 linear meters and “is vital for addressing the current challenges at the SVGC. Through this project, we will construct a network of access roads, install an efficient drainage system, build sidewalks, and ultimately develop a sustainable, resilient, and economically-vibrant government facility site.”
Construction of the Sidlak Residential Complex, a housing project under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (#4PH) Program of the Marcos administration, and worth P1.2 billion, will also start this week, Benitez said.
“This development will be carried out at no cost to the Victorias City government, with our private partners (Scheirman Construction Consolidated Inc. and RS Realty Concepts Developer Inc.), through our joint venture agreement, assuming full responsibility for the construction and development,” he added.
The residential complex will rise on a 2.5-hectare portion of the SVGC and will feature 10 buildings of five-storeys each, 1,241 housing units, and 60 percent green space. Amenities include a parking area, a commercial area, a swimming pool, a clubhouse, and a playground.
“Our aim (is) to provide affordable pricing and dignified housing units, targeting low to middle income earners to ensure inclusivity and access to decent housing for every Victoriasanon,” Benitez said.
He added that the three projects, which broke grounds during the 119th Malihaw Festival of the city, “represent a bold step forward in realizing our vision for a modern, progressive, and resilient Victorias.”
“These projects, strategically located and meticulously planned, will not only enhance our governance and infrastructure, but will also stimulate economic growth, improve the quality of life of every Victoriasanon, and solidify Victorias’ position as a thriving hub in Negros Occidental,” said Benitez, who will deliver his State of the City Address this afternoon, April 28. | CGC
