By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Marxlen dela Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto, an upland town in Negros Occidental, stressed the need to balance development with environmental preservation.
He noted an increasing interest from local and international investors seeking opportunities in the town, dubbed the “Summer Capital of Negros Occidental.”
“We are leaning toward supporting local investors, not international ones, and our objective is to uphold the concept of the Filipino family,” dela Cruz told reporters during the opening of the Kalikalihan Farmers Harvest Festival this week.
He said the town aims to promote family-oriented events, with Don Salvador Benedicto serving as a preferred venue.
Aside from this, dela Cruz said they are also positioning the town as a hub for major sports events.
He reiterated that Don Salvador Benedicto is an ideal location for sports activities and added that they are seeking funds to eventually build a sports complex.
“That is what we have in mind,” he said.
Dela Cruz, who is serving his final term as mayor, said the town is progressing at its own pace.
“DSB is developing at its own pace because rapid growth can sometimes be risky,” he said.
He emphasized that they are avoiding excessive development and instead pursuing growth that remains manageable.
“Balance is most important. Development that coexists with nature is the most sustainable. We will take that path—creating a balance between progress while preserving the town’s serenity and protecting the environment,” dela Cruz said.
This year’s Kalikalihan Festival will be his last as mayor, as he is set to run for Negros Occidental’s 1st District Board Member in the 2025 midterm elections.
“I am already in my final stretch as municipal mayor of Don Salvador Benedicto. The next role will bring a different challenge and a different office,” he said.
Dela Cruz described the Kalikalihan Harvest Festival as more than just a farmers’ event.
“We have turned it into a celebration for everyone, not just for the agricultural sector,” he said.
He added that the festival serves as a platform to promote the town’s advocacies, plans, and overall direction, making it a true source of pride for Don Salvador Benedicto.
One of the festival’s highlights is the Diwata ng Kali pageant, set for Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025.
This year’s competition features 18 candidates, the highest number in the festival’s history.