Tuesday, August 29, 2017
By MARCHEL P. ESPINA
THE House of Representatives is now working on the draft amending the Constitution to make way for the federal form of government strongly pushed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Negros Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez confirmed to SunStar Bacolod Monday, August 28, that the draft will include assigning Negros Island as one federal state, which is his proposal.
Saturday, August 12, 2017
By MARCHEL P. ESPINA
BACOLOD. Negros Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez and wife Dominique at President Rodrigo Duterte’s State of the Nation Address last month. (Carla N. Cañet)
NEGROS Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez is still among the richest members of the House of Representative, based on his 2016 statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN).
Thursday, August 10, 2017
By MARCHEL P. ESPINA, MERLINDA A. PEDROSA
NEGRENSES expressed dismay over President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to sign Executive Order (EO) 38, abolishing Negros Island Region (NIR).
Former Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II, who spearheaded the efforts to create the region, said the development of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental will be “slower” not being under one region.
Wednesday, August 09, 2017
Duterte signed Executive Order 38 on August 7, revoking EO 183 that created the NIR on May 29, 2015.
Negros Oriental will revert to Central Visayas (Region 7) and Negros Occidental to Western Visayas (Region 6).
Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., who launched #Save NIR Movement together with Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo last year, said he was dismayed, but has to accept and respect the decision of President Duterte.
Tuesday, August 08, 2017
MARCHEL P. ESPINA
MEMBERS of the House of Representatives are pushing to move the barangay elections next year.
Lawmakers from Negros Occidental confirmed that during their caucus Monday, majority of the congressmen have agreed to postpone the village and youth polls, both slated this coming October, to May 2018.
Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez said the proposed new election schedule will coincide with the referendum of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
MARCHEL P. ESPINA
TALISAY CITY -- The fate of Negros Island Region (NIR) remains uncertain as there are still government agencies that do not recognize its existence.
“As of now, there is no direction yet on how to treat NIR. We’re still in the status quo mode,” Negros Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez said Wednesday.
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
By Carla N. Canet
THE Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (Bredco), through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), is eyeing a 2,000-hectare reclamation project in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
Talisay City Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio Lizares on Monday, July 24, said he and Vice Mayor Samuel Siote and the members of the City Council are set to hold a preliminary meeting with the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA).
Thursday, July 27, 2017
NEGROS Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez said the Visayan Bloc plans to Aklan as the cruise liner ’s home port in Asia.
Benitez, who leads the Visayan Bloc, noted it is part of their efforts in organizing a Special Committee on Visayas Development to ensure the development especially in terms of tourism industry.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
By MARCHEL P. ESPINAMERLINDA A. PEDROSA
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s proposal to extend martial law in Mindanao until the end of the year has garnered mixed reactions from local officials in Negros Occidental.
Former governor Rafael Coscolluela, a Capitol consultant, said the President has a bad track record in setting timelines.
Monday, July 17, 2017
By Carla N. Canet
NEGROS Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez vowed to continue to find more ways to be relevant and bring more meaningful service and governance to his constituents and even beyond.
The statement was echoed by Abang Lingkod partylist Representative Stephen Paduano, who represented Benitez as the guest of honor and speaker during the 35th inauguration of officers, directors, and new members of the Rotary Club of Bacolod-East, held at O Hotel in Bacolod City over the weekend.
Ang isa sa akon mga handom para sa Bacolod.
Ako ang kapitan sg sini nga barko. Indi ini magkadto sa wala ukon sa tuo, kundi derecho sa direksyon sang pagbag-o sang gobyerno para sa kaayuhan sang Bacolodnon.
