CHANGE IN BACOLOD. Bacolod City mayor-elect Alfredo Benitez (center) flashes the “C” sign with Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (left) and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, signifying a change in the provincial capital after he defeated incumbent mayor Evelio Leonardia in the May 9 elections. Benitez witnessed the proclamation of the top provincial officials at the Capitol on Wednesday (May 11, 2022). (Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor-elect Alfredo Benitez has named reelected Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya as head of his interim transition team on Wednesday night as he bared his administration’s plans for the first 100 days beginning June 30.
“The key to getting things done is choosing the right man for the job. Thank you, Cong. Greg for accepting the responsibility,” Benitez said in a statement.
The incoming mayor, who foiled incumbent Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s bid for a third and last term, said he wants to start his governance the right way.
Benitez selected Gasataya to lead the transition team as the lawmaker had previously occupied various posts in the city government, including being acting mayor.
“We will assemble a transition team so there will be no abrupt changes and make sure that people are in place,” he said.
Benitez, a former congressman of the neighboring third district of Negros Occidental, said he has outlined an eight-point agenda that he will start to implement during his first 100 days in office.
“We mean business. We will execute the eight-point agenda in the first 100 days,” he added.
The list includes the cleaning up of corrupt practices, which has been his main campaign promise, and the reorganization of the City Hall to increase efficiency.
Others are the asphalt overlaying of subdivisions and city roads and eradicating "spaghetti" wires.
For peace and order, Benitez said the city will provide gasoline for patrol cars, renovate police stations, establish a high-quality closed-circuit television system, and install solar street lights for safety and security.
He added the city government will also sign a memorandum of agreement with private hospitals to address the lack of health services and provide adequate health care access.
Also on the agenda is the short-term and long-term plans to renovate the city’s public markets. (PNA)
