• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Seeking his third term as the chief executive of Negros Occidental, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Thursday (Oct. 3) that no local government unit (LGU) will be left behind in the implementation of projects should he be given another mandate to lead the province.
Lacson and his vice gubernatorial candidate, Fourth District Board Member Jose Benito Alonso, filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City, which is the venue of the Commission on Elections for accepting documents from candidates.
Lacson said that the presence of many incumbent and former officials of Negros Occidental strengthens his belief that they were happy with the way he and Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer managed the provincial government for almost six years.
Ferrer is vying for the Fourth District congressional post.
“If you review the projects implemented by the province, it will tell you that we have spread it well. There was no LGU left behind,” Lacson said.
Witnessing the filing of their COCs were former First District Rep. Julio Ledesma IV, San Carlos City Mayor Renato Gustilo, Toboso Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco, Board Members Rommel Debulgado, Sixto Pal Guanzon, Samson Mirhan, Andrew Montelibano, Jeffrey Tubola, Anthony Dennis Occeño, former Silay City Mayor Mark Golez, among others.
“I am very happy of their appearance and their support to the Lacson-Alonso tandem,” the governor said.
As of this time, Lacson has one challenger, in the person of Ferdenand Diego, a 50-year-old Candoni farmer, who claimed to be a former police officer.
According to reports, former Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca will file his COC for the gubernatorial position on Oct. 7, together with Sixth District congressional candidate, former Hinoba-an mayor Ernesto Estrao.
Both are members of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
If given a chance to be reelected, Lacson said he will complete his unfinished business, including the P1.2- billion Capitol bulk water supply project, along with more farm-to-market roads and bridges up for construction.
The governor said that he will ensure that all the projects will be finished when he steps down in 2028.
He added that the Lacson-Alonso administration intends to use only 50 percent of the 2028 budget so that the next administration will also have a choice on what projects they will implement.
Alonso, who has been in the public service for 35 years, assured Lacson of a smooth relationship between the legislative and executive branches of the provincial government. | GB
