“We are making Bacolod City a premiere city.”

This was the welcoming optimism shared by Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez to visiting government officials and employees of the Municipality of Kananga, Leyte province to the City of Smiles.

The delegation was led by Mayor Manuel Vicente Torres and Vice Mayor Miguel Jorge Tan.

The courtesy visit served as a benchmarking activity for the said municipality as Mayor Albee shared the vision of the city as well as its plans for a more efficient government system, boosting front liners’ welfare, livelihood and jobs, initiatives toward economic recovery, and a cohesive information management.

Also present to welcome Kananga officials was Councilor Jason Villarosa, Chairperson of the Bacolod SP Committee on Tourism. Some Bacolod Department Heads led by City Administrator Atty. Pacifico Maghari III took time to give the guests an overview of their respective departments such as the City Business Permits and Licensing Office Head Stella Rose Rayos, Jonah Javier for Local Economic and Investment Promotions office, and Ma. Teresa Manalili for Bacolod City Tourism Office.

(Story and photos: Paulo Pajarillo/University of St. La Salle Bacolod- Mass Communications Department)