BACOLOD City – The city government of Victorias in Negros Occidental has entered into a 50-year usufruct agreement with the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) for the establishment of a regional museum for Negrense sugar heritage and indigenous flora and fauna.
The regional museum will be known as the NMP-Victorias, Negros Occidental.
It will be housed at the Victorias City Hall, considered a significant heritage building, once the local government vacates it.
The city hall, meanwhile, will transfer to the New Government Center at Sidlak Victorias Global City, the date of which has yet to be finalized.
“We’re very excited about this partnership,” Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez said.
Benitez signed the deed of usufruct with NMP director-general Jeremy Barns in the presence of the mayor’s uncle, 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, and NMP Visayas National Museums director II Ma. Cecilia Tirol and city administrator Lindolf De Castro.
“The partnership with the NMP, and hopefully with the Department of Tourism, will bring not only awareness but also education, honor, and tourists to Victorias City and help people rise from economic hardships,” Benitez said.
Under the agreement, which grants the NMP the right to use the city’s structure for 50 years, a permanent regional museum and a satellite office of the NMP. (PNA)/PN
