Benitez Highlights Bacolod’s Growth as Term Ends

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez highlighted Bacolod’s transformation and development as he concludes his three-year term on June 30.

Benitez recalled that when he assumed office in 2022, Bacolod was stagnant—lacking direction and in urgent need of reform.

Now, he steps down from a city he describes as redefined by progress, innovation, and resilience.

“We pledged to sweep away inefficiencies, challenge complacency, and always put people first,” he said in his State of the City Address on Wednesday during the City Council’s 156th regular session.

“Three years on, that pledge became performance. The state of our city is no longer a question—it is a proud answer,” he added.

Bacolod posted its highest General Fund Budget this year at PHP4 billion, underscoring its growth trajectory.

The city has also attracted over PHP100 billion in investments and created 30,000 jobs, leading township development in Western Visayas.

Bacolod was cited as an “Emerging Standout” in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index, with strengths in human capital, quality of life, environmental sustainability, and governance.

Benitez noted ongoing partnerships for skills development, strong education and healthcare systems, and recognition as an emerging eco-tourism destination.

To enhance revenue, the city partnered with High Data to digitize tax mapping, targeting recovery of billions in unpaid real property taxes.

Projected collections could reach PHP700 million in 2026 and may hit PHP2 billion with full digital implementation.

“We appeal to every citizen: pay your dues,” Benitez said.

“We can only become a Super City if we become Super People—responsible citizens and a committed government,” he added.

The city emphasized inclusive service, launching the Bayad-Agad Program, which disbursed PHP113 million to nearly 28,000 beneficiaries in two years.

The Bacolod Comprehensive Health Program (BacCHP) now serves more than 91,000 cardholders and has provided PHP195 million in assistance to over 18,000 patients.

Bacolod also partnered with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development for the 4PH Housing Program—the first LGU to implement it.

A six-hectare site in Barangay Vista Alegre will house 25 buildings with 4,567 units; two buildings are complete and turned over.

“The Yuhum Housing Program is not charity—it’s the fulfillment of a long-overdue government responsibility,” Benitez said.

The city has over 2,000 documented informal settler families, many of whom face generational homelessness.

The Urban Renewal Program reduced fire incidents by 52 percent this year by addressing “red zones” prone to fires.

Benitez also prioritized job access and skills development, organizing 65 job fairs with over 200,000 vacancies and placing 20,000 job seekers.

Through the Asenso Life Skills Academy and TESDA, over 3,000 students gained real-world experience, while the ALPHA Accelerator Hub, funded by the DOST, supported startups.

The city awarded scholarships to 2,300 students, gave 3,000 summer jobs, and employed 17,600 TUPAD workers in community-based roles.

“From training to employment, we’re closing the gap and opening doors,” Benitez said.

On infrastructure and sustainability, the city collected 2,900 tons of recyclables since 2022 through the Trash to Cashback program and addressed 1,200 waste complaints via the Citizen Basura Watch.

Construction of a Recovery and Recycling Complex and Ecopark is underway, while e-jeepneys and solar-powered facilities mark the shift to green energy.

Bacolod hosted 642 events in 2024, drawing 157,000 visitors.

The MassKara Festival rebounded with billions in revenue, and tourist arrivals surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 103.67 percent.

The city also launched the Bacolod Film Festival and positioned itself as Asia’s center for sustainable gastronomy by hosting the first Terra Madre Asia-Pacific outside Europe.

The inaugural Palarong Panlungsod showcased homegrown athletes, and the Be the Change program honored exemplary Bacolodnons.

“Innovation, inclusivity, sustainability, mobility, and culture are not just values—they’re our shared commitment to build a Super City,” Benitez said.

To ensure efficient governance, the city enforced “No Work, No Pay” and digitized employee records, reducing job orders from 5,193 to 3,893 and saving PHP154 million annually.

The “Isugid kay Mayor” grievance platform addressed 793 complaints, and Executive Order No. 1 created the Good Governance Committee to oversee procurement and documentation.

Benitez cited PHP100 million worth of support to the Bacolod City Police Office, resulting in a 28 percent drop in crime since 2019.

The city launched the Bacolod Online Services Portal for digital permits and payments and set up service hubs in malls.

With 24/7 operations serving over 250,000 residents since 2023, Bacolod is the only LGU in the Philippines with round-the-clock service.

“This was not just a reorganization—it was a transformation into governance that delivers,” he said.

Awards and Accolades

Bacolod earned the most awards in a single mayoral term, including:

• DILG EXCELL Award for health compliance via BacCHP
• DOLE Hall of Famer for most job fairs
• Outstanding LGU Partner (IBPAP 2025) for 20.44% revenue growth
• Top 5 in Local Government Finance
• Most Business-Friendly HUC outside Metro Manila (PCCI, 2024)
• Back-to-back DILG Seals of Good Local Governance (2023–2024)
• Jumped 20 spots in the 2025 Oxford Economics Global Cities Index (from No. 538 to No. 518)

“These are not just plaques—they prove our reforms are working,” Benitez said.

He emphasized the city’s foundation lies in five pillars: innovation, inclusivity, sustainability, mobility, and culture.

“To incoming Mayor Greg Gasataya—you’re not inheriting a burden but a city primed for growth,” Benitez said.

He described Bacolod as entering a season of “adopting,” reinventing itself as resilient and forward-looking.

“Yes, the road was rough, but every resistance proved that real change was happening,” he said.

“The road to change is long, but we’re now on the right track.”