Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez delivering his state of the city address. *Ronnie Baldonado photo
Incoming Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya is not inheriting a burden, he is inheriting a city prepared to fly.
That was stressed by outgoing Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez in his State of the City Address, which he delivered at the Bacolod City Government Center Wednesday night, June 25.
Benitez outlined the gains of Bacolod during his term as mayor and vowed to support the incoming city officials led by Gasataya, as he assumes his new role as congressman of Bacolod.
“Bacolod today is competitive, rising, and ready to lead…the city has a solid revenue base, and we have mechanisms in place to keep it that way,” Benitez said.
He pointed out that of the P4.1 billion Development Bank of the Philippines loan secured by the Bacolod City government, they have drawn only a little over ₱2 billion — and only for specific needs and ready projects.
“This loan is not a blank check. It is a strategic tool we use with care, to fund initiatives that matter and investments that will pay off,” he said.
Benitez said the city government’s partnership with High Data will update its tax mapping system and improve collection.
“For years, many property owners have not paid their dues, resulting in billions of lost revenue — revenue that should’ve gone to public services. Now, we are fixing that,” he said.
He said the City Treasurer estimates that the city government will collect at least P700 million in real property taxes next year – a number that can increase to P2 billion once the city’s digital system is fully in place.
Benitez said while he will no longer lead Bacolod from the Government Center, he will continue going the extra mile for the city on the national stage as its congressman.
“As you congressman I commit my full support. To Mayor Greg, Vice Mayor Kalaw, and our Bacolod City Council: I will be with you, every step
of the way,” he said.
Benitez said his eight legislative priorities are:
· Skills training through an expanded Bacolod City College;
· A data‑driven integrated traffic control law;
· Long‑term flood barriers and pump gates;
· Stronger LGU waste‑management systems;
· Bigger budgets for anti‑drug education and rehabilitation;
· Reliable power and water oversight;
· Nationwide implementation of the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP); and
· A national mandate for fully digital LGU frontline services patterned after Bacolod’s success.
“As I begin a new chapter of public service, my promise is this: where Bacolod leads, I will follow. Where Bacolod needs, I will speak and
advocate. Where Bacolod dreams, I will fight to make real,” Benitez said, as he thanked the people of Bacolod for their support.*