BACOLOD CITY: Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez called on all the 31 mayors of Negros Occidental to have better collaboration and sharing of best practices and notes within the Association of Chief Executives (ACE). 'I believe that as mayors, we are the most immediate in addressing the problems of our localities. We have seen it during the pandemic. When there is inaction or ineffective policies and programs of the national government, the mayors have been able to step up,' Benitez, newly-elected president of ACE, said. The mayor said that he wants the mayors in the province 'to band together to address problems that are non-partisan. 'Mayor's roles and responsibilities like cleaning out the trash or clearing certain wires that are not necessary or having property contact tracing or getting sufficient vaccines. Many of those are non-partisan. Mayors would need our congressmen, the governor, vice governor, board members and the national government. We can't do it alone,' Benitez said. Benitez and the rest of the officers of the Negros ACE took their oaths before Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Social Hall of the Capitol in Bacolod City. Other officers of the league are Nicholas Yulo of Bago City – vice president, Salvador Escalante of Cadiz City – secretary general, Jilson Tubillara of San Enrique – treasurer, Raymund Tongson of Himamaylan City – auditor, and Lawrence Marxlen de la Cruz of Salvador Benedicto – public information officer. Members of the Board of Directors are Alfredo Abelardo Benitez – Bacolod, Melecio Yap Jr. of Escalante City – 1st District, Manuel Escalante 3rd of Manapla – 2nd District, Victor Gerardo Rojas of Murcia – 3rd District, Enrique Miravalles of Valladolid – 4th District, Alejandro Mirasol of Binalbagan – 5th District, and Maria Gina Lizares of Sipalay City – 6th District. The Negros ACE will also help avail grants to help LGUs and for local chief executives to travel and learn, Benitez said.