Third District congressional candidate Javier Miguel Benitez holds up the Philippine flag at his miting de avance.* Javi Benitez FB page photo
Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez vowed to implement his Asenso+ platform that will bring “tangible and intangible progress” to the Third District of Negros Occidental if elected congressman on May 12.
Board Member candidates Rolin Meliton and Andrew Montelibano, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Victorias Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Abang Lingkod first nominee Manuel Frederick Ko and vice gubernatorial bet Jose Benito Alonso (l-r) at the miting de avance.*Ronnie Baldonado photo
Benitez, who was joined by Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, vice gubernatorial bet Jose Benito Alonso, and the officials and candidates of the Third District from Victorias City, Talisay City, Silay City, EB Magalona and Murcia, outlined his plans at a miting de avance at the Victorias Public Plaza Saturday evening , May 3.
“Let tomorrow lead today,” he said, as he pledged to continue the Benitez legacy and enhance their Asenso gains in the Third District.
His father Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and uncle Secretary Jose Francisco Benitez, director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, are former representatives of the Third District.
The Victorias mayor said his Asenso+ program will invest in health, amplify skills training and upskilling, revitalize agriculture, and reimagine education.
He will also work to strengthen climate resiliency and promote digital democracy and an integrated digital portal in the Third District that will bring the LGUs closer to the national government, Benitez said.
Benitez also pledged that if elected congressman, he will have the most accessible district office.
Benitez said he wants to establish daycare centers in barangays throughout the Third District to further strengthen its Early Childhood Education Program.
He also aims to build an Indigenous Multi-purpose Center, and Metro Third Learning Centers that will house enhanced training and livelihood programs in all LGUs in the district.
Benitez also said the big-ticket projects for the Third District on his wish list are:
*An integrated transport network through multi-modal linkages that will connect the airport, seaport, and transport terminals for faster and efficient logistics, trade, and mobility;
*An urban drainage system and flood mitigation infrastructure for the entire Third District;
*A tourism circuit road network that will connect tourism destinations and service centers for easier access that will boost tourism economies;
*Sub-urban thoroughfare enhancement that will promote efficient mobility, reduce congestion, and stimulate localized economic development;
*Road dike projects that will build riverbank protection infrastructure integrated with roadways that will enhance riverbank stability while providing alternative transport routes; and
*A viaduct and coastal road system that will build elevated viaducts and coastal roads as alternate routes around congested central business districts.
This will significantly improve urban mobility, reduce travel time, and also enhance the scenic value, he said
Benitez said he will also continue the plan to build the Negros Occidental Convention Center, which will elevate the status of the district as host of major conferences and conventions, Benitez said.
He will continue to build the coastal road from the southern boundaries to the Third District to help speed up transportation, he added.
Benitez also wants to see to the construction of a mountain road that will connect Murcia, Talisay City, Silay City, EB Magalona and Victorias City.
The Victorias mayor joined a caravan from Murcia on Saturday afternoon that culminated at the Victorias City public plaza, which was packed with his supporters despite the rain.
His mother, Nikki Lopez Benitez, was also present at the rally.*
The candidates from Victorias City, EB Magalona, Talisay City, Silay City and Murcia at the miting de avance*Ronnie Baldonado photos