June 3, 2024

E. B. Magalona Mayor Marvin Malacon and Executive Assistant Matthew Louis Malacon are among the delegates from the Third District of Negros Occidental, led by Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, currently attending the World Cities Summit (WCS) 2024 in Singapore from June 2 to 4.

Other delegates are Victorias City Major Javier Miguel Benitez, Talisay City Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio Neil Lizares, Murcia Mayor Victor Gerardo Rojas, and several key department heads of Victorias City and Talisay City.

“We would like to thank Congressman Kiko Benitez and Victorias Mayor Javi Benitez for leading the Third District delegation to this year’s World Cities Summit. We will definitely apply the valuable ideas and insights we have learned from this summit in addressing urban challenges in our own municipality,” Mayor Malacon said.

In a Facebook post, Rep. Benitez, who heads the delegation, said, “It was great to learn and spend time with our Local Chief Executives as we continue to benchmark best practices in urban development and human settlements.”

“Learning directly from experts and fortifying our networks will help us better in achieving our Balay Hilway advocacy for a smarter, more sustainable, and inclusive future for Metro 3rd,” Benitez, who chairs the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, added.

The WCS 2024, with the theme, “Livable and Sustainable Cities: Rejuvenate, Reinvent, Reimagine” kicked off at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre on June 2.

The WCS is a biennial assembly of government officials, business leaders, and experts from the academe and international organizations. It is a platform for sharing of knowledge and for forging new partnerships to craft sustainable solutions to urban challenges.

Simultaneous sessions are organized along five tracks: Cities for People, Resilient & Regenerative Cities, Smart Cities, Sustainable Financing of Cities, and Future Cities.

Participants also have the option to attend side events such as Young Leaders’ Symposium, Mayors’ Forum, Science of Cities Symposium, and Asia Infrastructure Forum.*

-E. B. MAGALONA PIO/ Photo Cong Kiko Benitez FB page