BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Albee Benitez said that he will not stop until change in this city is achieved.
“We are not finished yet,” Benitez said as he bared his plans and ongoing programs for this city during his second State-of-the-City Address (SOCA) at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) on Wednesday, July 3.
BENITEZ (Glazyl Masculino)
Benitez said that they have done so much for this city but there are a lot of things that still need to be done.
“The state of the city is stronger than ever. But we need to sustain our momentum,” he added.
Benitez said that the dream for Bacolod is rooted in history. “Old Bacolod had been great. But we can be greater. We must aim higher,” he added.
“Tani indi kita kapoyon sa pag-tulod sang pagbag-o (I hope we will not get tired of pushing for change), he added.
Benitez said that he has started implementing his plans for this city. He cited various accomplishments of the present administration in terms of forging shared values, delivering services, strengthening strategic industries, promoting smart solutions, and ensuring sustainable development.
“I cannot do it alone. If we go together, we go farther. Together, let us finish the job,” he said, adding that success will depend on how strong a partnership is.
The mayor stressed that to transform Bacolod to be a Super City, there is a need for innovation.
Benitez said they need new ways to solve old problems and must learn from history.
“Cities that do not innovate eventually collapse. We need change in our culture of governance to address our growing needs and new threats,” he added.
Benitez stressed that change is hard and there will always be people who will oppose and resist change as well as those trying and will keep trying to delay and derail the programs for Bacolod.
He, however, said that these people will not succeed, as the force of change is unstoppable.
“We will keep our appointment with destiny. Whether you are with us or against us, we will succeed,” Benitez said, adding that many are joining their journey towards becoming a Super City.
Benitez said that transforming Bacolod into a Super City needs Super People. “But we do not need superpowers to be Super People – we just need the passion to serve, and right values and dynamic behavior to innovate,” he added.
We want to make Bacolod the best place to live, work and play. We want to build a holistic environment for businesses and for people to thrive, Benitez said.
Thus, he said there is a need for a master plan to proceed in transforming Bacolod to a super city.
We engaged the services of an urban planner to craft our Master Plan for Bacolod. This includes development of bioswales at the roadsides to absorb rainwater runoff, to mitigate flooding, he said.
Part of the master plan is also the development of River Promenade in Mambulok. The Master Plan also includes the development of a network of agri-hubs to ensure food security and promote agritourism, as well as the underground cabling.
Benitez said they will make Lacson St. the showcase of modern Bacolod by putting up first the underground cables in the area to prevent spaghetti wires.
“We will make Lacson St. like Orchard Road in Singapore, the Ayala Ave. of Makati. We will reclaim the sidewalk and turn it into linear parks,” he added.
This master plan will make Bacolod a truly global, modern, inclusive, and sustainable Super City, he said.
In implementing these changes, we need to consider different needs and interests.
But at the end of the day, the long-term benefits outweigh the temporary inconveniences, he said.
“The road to change is long. Our dream for Bacolod to become a Super City may still be far. But we are slowly feeling it,” he said.
Changing the political culture in Bacolod is not a sprint, but a marathon – or a relay. It is a test of endurance, he added.