Friday, October 14, 2016
MARCHEL P. ESPINA

SILAY CITY – NEGROS Occidental Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez poured in P3.637 billion worth of projects in his district in the last three years.

The bulk of the budget went to infrastructure projects in the district at P3.540 billion, including P917.999 million in 2014, P945.220 million in 2015, and P1.677 billion for 2016, Benitez said during his State of the District Report, Thursday, at the Silay City Civic Center.

Among the infrastructure projects implemented by Benitez in the last three years were farm-to-market roads, local roads, and multi-purpose buildings.

Other appropriation was for health and social services with P48.5 million, P41 million for education, and P7.5 million for livelihood.

Benitez said that his second term of office is focused on I-Help, which are infrastructure, health and housing, education, livelihood and policy.

In his speech, the lawmaker also highlighted the passage of the Sugarcane Industry Development Bill into a law and other initiatives.

Benitez also mentioned the Alternative Learning Boards (ALBs), as he underscored the importance of technology in education.

Not only did he implement the project in his district, the ALBs were also turned over to various schools in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

Also during his speech, Benitez emphasized “Metro Third,” which is a unified approach to finding solutions to the problem of solid waste disposal in the district.

He said the proposal on a unified solid waste management program is still in the works and is expected to be operational by early next year.

Benitez added that this would be a “cheaper and effective” way to address the garbage problem of the district.

Also present during the event were Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Bacolod City Representative Greg Gasataya, Mayors Mark Golez of Silay City, Francis Frederick Palanca of Victorias City, Andrew Montelibano of Murcia and Marvin Malacon of E.B. Magalona, and barangay leaders. (MPE)