The 3rd District of Negros Occidental has a rich culinary heritage and has vast potential for food tourism, Rep Francisco Benitez said.*
Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) has just filed 11 bills, including three seeking the establishment of a Victorias City General Hospital, a Negros Occidental High School for Sports in E.B. Magalona, and a multi-species marine hatchery in Talisay City.
House Bill 1239 calls for the establishment of a P500 million Victorias City General Hospital, which is crucial to providing the people of Victorias wider access to affordable and quality healthcare – and saving lives from medical emergencies, he said.
House Bill 75 seeks the establishment of a high school for sports to cultivate young Negrosanons to become accomplished professional athletes and raise Filipino pride, he said.
“A dedicated sports program, with a strong values formation component, will divert young people from vices that would otherwise occupy their time and attention,” Benitez added.
House Bill 74 seeks the establishment of a multi-species marine hatchery in Sitio Mambucog, Barangay Zone XVI, Talisay, he said.
The site has already been assessed by experts from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Talisay City government has expressed its full support and long-term commitment to the project, Benitez said.
A multi-species hatchery is necessary for the sustainability and growth of the food scene in the 3rd District of Negros Occidental, he said.
“Aquaculture development will not only contribute to food tourism but will also ensure food security in the district,” he said.
“The 3rd District has a rich culinary heritage and has vast potential for food tourism. Already tourists are drawn to the district to enjoy heirloom dishes, organic produce and fresh seafood served in garden or rustic restaurants and hole-in-the-wall eateries,” he said.
Benitez has also filed eight other bills of national significance:
*House Bill 66 seeking the establishment of an on-site, in-city or near-city housing program for informal settler families;
*HB No. 67 for the creation of a Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers to provide reasonable incentives to compensate BHWs for the work that they perform in making health services accessible to all;
*HB No. 68, a framework bill on digital revolution to foster economic resilience and competiveness;
*HB No. 69, a framework bill for a blue economy to sustainably develop, manage, protect and preserve the country’s marine and costal resources;
*HB No. 70 establishing ICT hubs in every local government unit to enable learners, entrepreneurs and workers to cope with the demands of digital learning, digital economy and digital jobs;
*HB No. 71, a framework bill on sustainable cities;
*HB No. 72 promoting urban agriculture to maximize available spaces and utilization of emerging agricultural technologies and methods, particularly in urban areas where hunger incidence is prevalent; and
HB No. 73 establishing the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System.