The Manila Times

Benitez vows govt transparency

BY EUGENE Y. ADIONG

BACOLOD CITY: Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez promised to restore the people’s trust in his newly established New Government Center (NGC) which focuses on transparency and fighting corruption in government service.

“Restoring public trust should be grounded in transparency,” said Benitez in his inaugural address on July 1 at the NGC, which was also attended by provincial government officers, led by Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer.

In his first 100 days, Benitez is set to issue an executive order creating a Good Governance Committee to name the members of the Bacolod Truth Commission that will investigate allegations of graft and corruption in the city government and ensure expenditures are prudent and efficient and public funds are utilized according to the government procurement rules and standards.

“As I have said during the campaign, there will be no sacred cows. Let the chips fall where they may,” said Benitez, who is the 43rd mayor of Bacolod.

Govt transaction reforms

Benitez said he will also reengineer government transaction systems, improve frontline services for efficiency, and develop a closer relationship with the people.

“We will accelerate the digital transformation of the city’s bureaucracy and digitalize the permitting process, the former congressman of the third district of Negros Occidental said, adding that he will start with the office of the building official. Benitez also said that they will harness the power of digital technology to enhance efficiency in city government transactions and ensure impartiality and nonpartisanship in the delivery of government services.

He added that City Hall front desk personnel will be trained to be courteous to all constituents, regardless of their status in life.

“Our frontline employees are the face of the NGC — dapat gid permi naka-yuhum (they should always smile), since Bacolod is the “City of Smiles.” This way, we give due respect to our people. This way, we give them the value that they deserve. This way, we raise their dignity. We will treat everyone equally with respect since the people are our boss,” he pointed out.

Waste management and infrastructure

Benitez also vowed to clean Bacolod City’s image by repairing “spaghetti wires” which are not only an eyesore but also a fire and accident hazard, and to review the solid waste management system.

He called on Bacolod residents to help the city in minimizing the volume of waste that needs to go to the landfill by segregating at the source by introducing a trash-for-cash program.

Benitez also bared his plans to invest in the rehabilitation of villages or even private roads that he will call “asenso lanes” and open these to traffic to decongest major roads.

To further support small food businesses, the city will invest in rehabilitating and rebranding the public markets, particularly the Central, Burgos and Libertad Market that should take center stage in the local commerce, he said.

“The establishment of Bacolod Comprehensive Health Program may soon be realized,” Benitez said in his pledge during the campaign to allocate the biggest portion of the city’s budget to health.

He said that he will strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies.

“Bacolod has been terrorized recently by crimes. I am giving orders to Colonel (Thomas Joseph) Martir, director of the Bacolod City Police Office, to intensify their anti-crime operations and increase police patrol and surveillance of hot spots or high-crime areas and resolve cases as soon as possible. As I have pledged during the campaign, my administration is committed to allocating a higher budget to the BCPO,” Benitez said.

“The elections are over. Politics are over. Let’s get down to work because we have a lot of work to do,” he said.

Bacolod City Rep. Greg Gasataya, Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Joseph Paduiano, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and winning City Council members ALSO TOOK THEIR OATH OF OFfiCE LAST night at the NGC grounds in Bacolod City.

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2022-07-04T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-07-04T07:00:00.0000000Z

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The Manila Times