BACOLOD City – Cong. Francisco Benitez of the third district of Negros Occidental is pushing for the creation of an integrated development plan for the five local government units (LGUs) under his area of jurisdiction.
These include the cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, and the municipalities of Murcia and E.B. Magalona.
“I challenge everyone to be up to the task of putting together the comprehensive and integrated plan that will be the important development roadmap for Metro Third,” Benitez said during the consultative and exploratory meeting on Oct. 25.
During the meeting, the lawmaker, local chief executives, and planning officers were joined by Director Ro-ann Bacal of the National Economic Development Authority in Western Visayas.
Bacal cited the rich potential of the district in terms of road expansions, agri-tourism, cultural and heritage sites, as well as the intensive biodiversity of the Northern Negros Natural Park.
“Update your comprehensive land use plans that are most basic and critical to the development planning process,” she told the LGUs.
Also present during the event were mayors Mark Golez of Silay City, Francis Frederick Palanca of Victorias, Marvin Malacon of E.B. Magalona, and Gerardo Roxas of Murcia.
The third district is currently thriving with developments, including the multi-billion residential property boom in Talisay located just next to this capital city.
Talisay is also home to tourist favorite “The Mariano Lacson Mansion,” popularly known as the “The Ruins.”
Meanwhile, Silay, which hosts the Bacolod-Silay Airport, is also known for its heritage homes and mountain resorts in Patag.
The 41.4-km., P25-billion Bacolod-Victorias coastal road project, which will start in Barangay Banago, Bacolod, traversing across Talisay, Silay, E.B. Magalona, and end in Barangay 13, Victorias, is expected to commence next year. (With a report from PNA/PN)
