Benitez pledges PHP 1 million for outstanding Bacolod barangays

BACOLOD CITY – House Deputy Speaker and Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez has pledged PHP 1 million in cash incentives to recognize barangays and local officials who demonstrate exemplary performance in governance and public service.

Benitez said the incentives will come entirely from his personal funds and will be awarded to winners of various barangay governance and excellence awards organized by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the city government this year.

He underscored the vital role of barangay officials as frontline government workers and public servants closest to local communities.

“Good governance begins in our barangays,” Benitez said.

He explained that the initiative is his way of recognizing the dedication, hard work and commitment of barangay officials who continue to improve the quality of public service in Bacolod.

“This is my personal way of showing appreciation and encouraging them to do even better,” he added.

The initiative marks the third consecutive year that Benitez has provided cash incentives to award-winning barangays and local officials.

Among the beneficiaries are awardees of the 2026 Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays (SGLGB), Best Performing Barangays, Barangay Secretaries’ Service Excellence Award and Barangay Treasurers’ Service Excellence Award.

Also included are barangays recognized for outstanding performance in financial administration and sustainability, disaster preparedness, safety, peace and order, social protection and sensitivity, business-friendliness and competitiveness, environmental management and Local Government Support Fund implementation.

The incentive program will likewise cover winners of the 2026 Legislative Excellence in Governance and Empowerment for National Development Awards, including the champion, first runner-up and second runner-up.

Recipients will also include the 2026 Most Outstanding Barangay Secretary and Most Outstanding Barangay Treasurer, as well as individual awardees of the Simbolo ng Inisyatibo at Galing (SINAG) Awards.

Benitez stressed that the initiative goes beyond financial recognition, saying it also seeks to foster a culture of excellence and healthy competition among Bacolod’s 61 barangays.

He expressed hope that recognizing high-performing barangays would encourage others to strengthen their governance systems, enhance public service delivery and develop innovative programs that address the needs of their constituents.

“We want every barangay in Bacolod to strive for excellence. When we recognize those who perform well, we also inspire others to improve,” he said.

Benitez added that the goal is to establish a culture in which good governance is not only expected but consistently practiced, evaluated and rewarded.

The initiative ultimately seeks to recognize barangays and local officials whose dedication and effective implementation of community-based programs have made a meaningful difference in the lives of their constituents.

“Ultimately, the biggest winners should always be the people of Bacolod,” he stressed.

The incentive program forms part of his continuing advocacy to promote good governance, transparency, accountability and excellence in public service, particularly at the barangay level.

Meanwhile, Mayor Greg Gasataya led the review and signing of documents for the release of the barangays’ Annual Investment Program (AIP) allocations on Tuesday, Nov. 3, following an earlier validation and review of proposed projects and budget allocations for seven barangays to ensure their alignment with community priorities.

During the review, Gasataya encouraged barangays to include solar-powered streetlights in their AIPs, especially in dimly lit areas and key locations that need better visibility.

He pointed out that solar lighting would not only improve safety but also help reduce electricity costs amid rising power rates.

For barangays planning to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, the mayor recommended connecting them to the City Command Center to enable real-time monitoring and strengthen public safety across communities.

The mayor also listened directly to concerns raised by barangay officials, including issues involving drainage, garbage collection and other matters requiring coordination with city offices.

He also called on barangays to support the upcoming Batang Pinoy National Championships, scheduled for Dec. 12 to 18, by helping identify schools that could serve as billeting centers for visiting athletes and their guardians and deploying additional barangay tanods to maintain peace and order throughout the event.

Bacolod, which hosted the inaugural Batang Pinoy competition in 1999, is preparing to welcome thousands of young athletes, coaches and delegation officials from across the country for the national championships.