Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez has completed the renovation of his office at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC), just in time for his second State of the City Address (SOCA) on July 5.
A total ofP16 million was spent for the renovation, which features a modern luxury design and new furniture. The new office also has outer and inner waiting rooms, two conference rooms, and a glass wall that gives one a full view of the BCGC grounds and fountain.
“We would like to present the mayor’s office as a symbol of Bacolod City, which has to have a certain level of wow factor,” Benitez said. “It is also designed to be a comfortable and relaxed workplace.”
Benitez said the renovation was initially bided out by the city government, but he is looking to see if that can be reversed so he can directly pay the contractor for the renovation cost from his own funds. If that is not possible, he will offset the amount spent by the city for the mayor’s office by allocating P16 million from his personal funds for the repair of city comfort rooms.
The mayor’s office renovation has been met with some controversy, with some critics questioning the need for such a lavish space. However, Benitez has defended the renovation, saying that it is necessary to provide a comfortable and efficient workplace for the city’s top executive.
The mayor’s office renovation is just one of the many projects that Benitez has undertaken since taking office in 2022. He has also launched a number of programs aimed at improving the lives of Bacolod residents, including a free public transportation system, a citywide cleanup drive, and a program to provide scholarships to students from poor families.
