Gerry Rojas

Third District Cong. Javi Benitez with the leaders of the cities and towns in the Third Congressional District and Abang Lingkod Partylist Rep. Manman Ko in a luncheon get together at Silay City on June 12, 2026.

Kalayaan. Kansilay. Asenso. 🇵🇭
Isa ka adlaw, isa ka lamesa, isa ka Metro Third.


📷 Team JAVI Benitez

The Sleeping Giant in the Shadows of Kanlaon: Why Murcia is the Next Frontier for Township Development

If you look at the trajectory of every major metropolis in the Philippines, the story is always the same. First, the capital booms. Then, the congestion sets in. Finally, the "smart money" moves to the adjacent municipality that offers what the city no longer can: Space. Breathability. And Potential.

In Metro Manila, it was the shift to the South. In Cebu, it was the expansion into the West.

In Negros Occidental, that next frontier is Murcia.

As we watch Bacolod City rapidly densify, a unique opportunity is emerging just 20 minutes east. Murcia is no longer just a "stopover" on the way to Mambukal; it is the most logical, strategic, and high-value canvas for the next generation of Economic Estates and mixed-use townships.

Here is why the country's top visionary developers should be looking closely at this town.

1. The Luxury of Scale: A Canvas for True Master Planning
The scarcity of large, consolidated lands is the biggest barrier to development in Bacolod City today. Murcia solves this.

Here, we are not talking about retrofitting a vision into fragmented, pocket-sized lots. We are talking about vast, contiguous agricultural expanses. This offers the kind of "blank canvas" opportunity that urban planners dream of. It allows for the creation of a fully integrated township from the ground up—where road networks, drainage, and zoning are perfect by design, not by compromise.

With the right vision, these sweeping green fields can transform into a world-class estate without losing their soul—preserving the green corridors while accommodating industrial and residential growth.

2. The Highland Advantage: A Climate-Resilient Frontier
Modern urban planning is shifting. Post-pandemic, the market demands developments that integrate nature and cleaner air into the daily grind. Murcia sits at a strategic elevation, offering a microclimate that is distinctly cooler than the lowlands.

For a developer, this is a natural asset: cooler temperatures mean lower energy consumption for cooling systems, and the topography offers natural drainage solutions. It is the perfect setting for a Green Industrial-Anchored Eco-City where sustainability isn't just a marketing buzzword, but a geographic reality.

3. Water: The New Gold
For any township or industrial park, water security is the primary risk factor. Murcia is naturally endowed with abundant water resources, fed by the watershed of Mt. Kanlaon. While other developing cities struggle with utility scarcity, Murcia offers the foundational resource required to support heavy industry, semiconductor fabrication, or high-density mixed-use communities.

4. The "Altura" Vision: Transforming Potential into Legacy
At Altura, we look at these vast agricultural lands and see more than just soil; we see the layout of a future Smart City.

We believe that with the right planning and bold vision, these lands can evolve into a model ecosystem where:

1. Agri-Tech and Light Industrial zones operate in harmony with nature.

2. Renewable energy powers a commercial district that rivals the best in the Visayas.

3. Heritage and Modernity blend, creating a township that respects its agricultural roots while embracing the future.

The players who move first in Murcia will define the landscape of Negros for the next 50 years. The land is massive. The potential is limitless. But it requires the right partner to unlock it.

The question is: Who will build it?

The canvas in Negros is ready. At Altura, we are ready to lay the groundwork.

Let’s discuss how we can unlock this potential together.

The MOBCA Softball Team, representing Team Murcia, paid a courtesy call on Mayor Gerry Rojas ahead of their participation in the prestigious PONY 13U World Series in California, USA this July. The visit provided an opportunity for the team to seek the support and blessings of the local government and the Murcia community as they prepare to compete on the international stage.

We commend our young athletes, coaches, and parents for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence in sports. Their achievement is a source of pride and inspiration for the entire municipality.

The people of Murcia stand united in supporting Team Murcia as they showcase their talent, determination, and sportsmanship before the world.

Best of luck and safe travels, Team Murcia! Bring home wonderful memories and make our community proud.

Groundbreaking Ceremony of GATEWAY 5000 Commercial Spaces

Mayor Gerry Rojas, Vice Mayor Johnny Reosura, and Altura Legacy Land, Inc. President Lilia Villanueva led the groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony for GATEWAY 5000 Commercial Spaces on June 11, 2026, in Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia.

Also present at the event were Sangguniang Bayan Members Kedy Yu, Joey Gomez, Francoise Ginson, Hernan Alintana, and Belen Magbanua; members of the Villanueva family; municipal department heads; and other distinguished guests.

This significant development marks another milestone in the municipality's continued growth and progress. Once completed, GATEWAY 5000 Commercial Spaces is expected to become a new landmark in Murcia, creating opportunities for business expansion, investment, employment, and local economic development.

The Municipality of Murcia welcomes this venture by Altura Legacy Land, Inc. and looks forward to the positive impact it will bring to the community and its residents.

Barangay Blumentritt, Murcia
June 11, 2026

21 BCPC Child Representatives received Financial Assistance from Negros Occidental Provincial Social Welfare Development Office thru its Provincial Educational Subsidy for Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) Child Representatives.

Padayon nga pagserbisyo!

Madamo gid nga salamat Cong. Javi Benitez sa imo nga proyekto Ikaayong Lawas On Wheels Medical Mission sa Barangay Cansilayan, Murcia. Ini nga projekto gina updan kag suportado sang lokal nga gobyerno sang Murcia nga ginapangunahan ni Mayor Gerry Rojas, Vice Mayor Johnny Reosura, mga miyembero sang Sanguniang Bayan, Barangay Cansilayan Council kag mga pumuluyo sang Murcia.

June 11, 2026