Victorias breaks ground on new government center, 2 other projects

THE Victorias City Government broke ground for the construction of the three landmark projects that will shape the city’s future, a more efficient, sustainable, and vibrant city or the Sidlak Victorias Global City (SVGC), on Friday evening, April 25, 2025.

These three landmark projects include the construction of the Victorias City New Government Center, Sidlak Land Development, and Sidlak Residential Complex at Hacienda Loreto, Barangay 13.

Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, who led the groundbreaking ceremony, said they envisioned the SVGC, which is composed of 25 hectares, as a new growth area where the future smart, sustainable, and resilient Victorias City will rise.

He said the City allotted a total of P550 million for the New Government Center, P1.2 billion for the Sidlak Residential Complex, and P200 million for the Sidlak Land Development.

He said the SVGC also houses the City Command and Evacuation Center.

The mayor noted that the City Government earlier obtained a P1.86 billion loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to fund the City’s projects.

Aside from the three landmark projects, Benitez said it is also part of the City’s loan for the construction of roads and drainage, motor pool building, improvement of Victorias City Coliseum, purchase of government vehicles and land for social housing, sanitary land fill, and Philippine National Police Training Center.

He said the SVGC is the site that will represent the distinct grace and strength of every Vitoriasanon harbored from the countless challenges and adversities that taught them the real sweetness of victory.

“We called it as SVGC because we envision Victorias City not only to be nationally competitive but to level up in the global standards and to be a true home for all Victoriasanons where they can live, work, and play,” he added.

The new government center, which is composed of three-story building, covering a total of 7,120.50 square meters across its floors and roof deck.

It will house the executive and legislative branches alongside key administrative offices, consolidating our government services into a single and well-planned complex.

“Our current City Hall has long outgrown its original design and capacity. This New Government Center seeks to accommodate our city's growing population and government workforce, ultimately improving public service delivery, optimizing inter-office coordination, and promoting convenience for both constituents and employees,” Benitez said.

He said the design and master plan of the new government center were designed by Carlos Arnaiz, the founder and principal of CAZA, a Brooklyn-based architecture firm and think tank for concept-driven environments and urban plans.

Its design incorporates biospheric and green architecture concepts, featuring passive cooling systems, solar energy utilization, rainwater harvesting, and landscaped areas that double as flood mitigation spaces.

Benitez said the master plan features a compact and walkable design that encourages walking and biking; mixed-use development that will enable the integration of residential, commercial, and recreational areas; green spaces and urban agriculture that prioritizes parks, gardens, urban forests, and community gardens and rooftop farms; sustainable infrastructure; effective water management; public transportation and connectivity; and climate resilience.

“This New Government Center project, estimated at 750 calendar days following a Design and Build procurement mode, aims to establish a forward-looking civic space that enhances governance, urban development, and local identity,” he said.

He said the old city hall will be developed into a museum.

The mayor recalled that in August 2023, they signed a Deed of Usufruct Agreement with the National Museum that the old city hall will be the future site of the first component museum in the whole Negros Occidental.

Benitez said this component museum will feature the sugar heritage and indigenous flora and fauna in Negros Occidental.

Benitez also said that the Sidlak Land Development will lay the essential groundwork for the envisioned Sidlak Government Complex.

He said the Sidlak area is strategically identified to centralize government services and stimulate economic and residential growth, potentially accommodating national government offices, commercial spaces, housing units, and a disaster-resilient evacuation center.

“This project, covering a total land area of 1,500 linear meters with varying road widths, is vital for addressing the current challenges at this site,” he added.

The mayor noted that the land development project will include the construction of roads, drainage systems, and sidewalks.

“Through this project, we will construct a network of access roads, install an efficient drainage system, build sidewalks, and ultimately develop a sustainable, resilient, and economically vibrant government facility site. This foundational infrastructure is necessary to support future vertical developments and foster inclusive and sustainable growth in Victorias City,” Benitez said.

The Sidlak Residential Complex, or the Sidlak Village Project will be the first vertical housing project in Victorias City under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Dignified Human Settlements Agenda of the city, added Benitez.

“It’s part of our dream to give an affordable and dignified housing to all the Victoriasanon,” he said.

The residential complex, which covers 25,000 square meters or 2.5 hectares, will be constructed with 10 five-story buildings, composed of 1,241 housing units, and 60 percent green space.

It will also house various amenities such as a parking area, a commercial area, a swimming pool, a clubhouse, and a playground.

This will be constructed by the City’s private partners Scheirman Construction Consolidated Inc. and RS Realty Concepts Developers Inc.

“This development will be carried out at no cost to Victorias City Government. Our private partners, through our Joint Venture Agreement, assume full responsibility for construction and development,” Benitez said.

He said as of April 25, 2025, they already have at least 1,300 raw applicants that include the government employees, teachers, uniformed personnel, and private individuals.

He said this program is open to all the Victoriasanon. The qualified applicants are informal settler families who are active Pag-Ibig members and do not own any real property, and are earning below a Salary Grade 8 wage or P17,000.

The mayor noted that the monthly amortization fee will be determined by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Central Office, but is expected to be around P2,800 to P 3,500 per month for 30 years.

“Our aim through this Sidlak Residential Complex Project has always been clear -- to provide affordable pricing and dignified housing units, targeting low to middle income earners to ensure inclusivity and access to decent housing for every Victoriasanon,” Benitez said.

He said the Victorias City New Government Center, Sidlak Land Development, and Sidlak Residential Complex represent a bold step forward in realizing their vision for a modern, progressive, and resilient Victorias City.

He added that these projects, strategically located and meticulously planned, will not only enhance their governance and infrastructure but will also stimulate economic growth, improve the quality of life of every Victoriasanon, and solidify Victorias City's position as a thriving hub in Negros Occidental. (MAP)