Incoming third district representative may seek NIR revival

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Dr. Francisco Benitez, who ran unopposed in last Monday’s midterm elections to succeed his brother, outgoing Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez, recently unveiled his plans for the district.

In his proposals, he focused on the theory of “critical mass,” which refers to an action acquiring a certain amount or number to attain a desired result.

“It’s a question of critical mass,” Benitez explained. “If the district gets together, it will be a sufficient ‘critical mass’ for many things not just the putting up of offices of national government agencies.”

Aside from continuing the infrastructure projects and programs introduced by his brother, the incoming legislator said he will pursue “Metro third development.”

Meanwhile, Benitez also said he may seek a revival of the Negros Island Region.

“I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “It speeds up bureaucracy [and] whatever speeds up bureaucracy is better.”

Benitez added, health and education will be his top priority after he is formally sworn-in in July.

Last March, the Jison family of Silay City donated three hectares of land in the city’s Barangay E. Lopez as part of a planned Philippine Women’s University (PWU) expansion. Prior to running for Congress, the university was run by the congressman-elect.

The deed of donation was signed at the Silay City Civic Center by Elisa Jison and then-candidate Benitez; and witnessed by Rep. Benitez, Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, the rest of the Jison family, and PWU executives and members of the school’s Board of Trustees./DGB, WDJ