The blessing of the district office of Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez on Friday.*
The blessing of the new district office of Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez, established to address the needs of Bacolodnons, was held on Friday morning, October 10, at Burgos Extension, Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City.
Benitez was unable to attend the blessing because a quorum was needed at the House of Representatives for the deliberation and passage of the national budget on second reading, Lucille Gelvolea, a member of his technical staff, said.
The House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 4058, the proposed P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026 as amended on second reading on Friday.
Bacolod Councilor Caesar Distrito, spokesman for Benitez, said the district office will assist constituents in need of medical assistance or referral to hospitals such as the Philippine Heart Center.
Distrito said that the establishment of the new office underscores Benitez’s “continuing commitment to bring public service closer to his constituents” and provide a more accessible venue for assistance, coordination, and community engagement.
Gelvolea said the office will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during weekdays. Requests for help can also be made through the congressman’s Facebook page.
“We are the frontliners for whatever the district can offer Bacolodnons,” Gelvolea said.
On the day of the blessing, the office facilitated a Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) payout totaling about P4 million to 1,063 Bacolodnons who had sought assistance, which was held at the Villamonte Gym, she said.
Gelvolea noted they are “still processing a lot of requests for financial, medical, and burial assistance.”
The blessing of the district office was attended by Bacolod City officials and barangay captains.*