1st component museum in Negros Occ to rise in Victorias

August 28, 2023

Victorias City Hall will be the future site for the first component museum in Negros Occidental, as the Deed of Usufruct Agreement is signed today, August 28.

City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, Third District Representative Hon. Jose Francisco Benitez, National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) Director-General Jeremy Barns, NMP Visayas National Museums Director II Atty. Ma. Cecilia Tirol, and City Administrator Atty. Lindolf De Castro signed the agreement.

The signing marked another history as the first component museum in Negros Occidental will rise in Victorias City, featuring the sugar heritage and indigenous flora and fauna of the province.

“We’re very excited about this partnership, we know that the National Museum of the Philippines and the partnership with the Department of Tourism, hopefully, will bring not only awareness but also education, honor, and tourists to Victorias City which will help people rise from economic hardships,” Mayor Javi said in his message.

Cong. Kiko reiterated Mayor Javi’s vision about Victorias City.

“He [Mayor Javi] thought that the idea of a national museum present here in Victorias was one that completed his vision of both a new reinvigorated Victorias City and one that is nonetheless tied and conscious to its long heritage and history,” the Congressman shared.

Atty. Tirol stressed the significance of the museum in the Visayas Region and emphasized that Negros Occidental was the only missing piece in the cultural map.

Director-General Barns affirmed the commitment of the NMP to making this vision a reality.

“This museum that we will be putting together, conceptualizing in consultation with you and the stakeholders, that this will be our best yet, for sure,” he said.

Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III together with the city councilors and department heads joined the ceremonial signing as support to the said project.

This initiative ensures that the City of Victorias and the region’s vibrant history and cultural heritage will be safeguarded and celebrated for generations to come.*