The incoming administration of Bacolod City Mayor-elect Greg Gasataya wants to assure residents that the transition into the new governance will not disrupt public service.

Gasataya’s transition team head, Mark Steven Mayo, said he had already received the documents from outgoing Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez’s transition team on Friday, June 20.

Mayo added that the team prioritized securing the city government’s essential documents, such as annual budget, annual investment plan, personnel records, asset inventory, and other key items.

Several documents, including the assessment report for the Seal of Good Local Governance and the Commission on Audit report, are scheduled to be submitted during the executive briefing.

He said their transition team received most of the documents from the administration of Bacolod Congressman-elect Benitez during the local governance transition team turnover ceremony.

Christian Nagaynay, director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Bacolod, said the transition team has already received nearly all documents from the Benitez administration.

These include the city’s development plans, documentation, financial reports, human resource complement, and others.

Gasataya said the smooth and respectful turnover of documents marks more than a ceremonial handover.

“It is a quiet but powerful moment of unity and responsibility and a reminder of how a relationship that is harmonious and focused on the public ensures peace and continuity,” Gasataya said.

The early turnover allowed the incoming administration time to ask clarificatory questions or request additional information.

The ceremony also served as preparation for the upcoming executive briefing./WDJ