Governor Jose Eugenio Lacson reiterated the call for Negrenses to continue practicing minimum health standards as he underscored anew the plan of the provincial government to procure vaccines to check the incidence of COVID-19.
At the same time, he appealed to Negrosanons “not to bring down their guard” as COVID remains a serious health concern in the province.
The appeal was aired by the governor in an exclusive interview with NEGROS WEEKLY for his yearend assessment.
The Q & A with Gov. Lacson:
What do you consider as the highlights of your leadership in 2020?
The challenge for us and the other local chief executives was really in COVID-19. Fortunately, here in Negros Occidental, we were able to establish the very first molecular laboratory by an LGU here in the region, which somehow helps us get the results faster. Although, initially, there was still a delay (in the test results), but I guess eventually we really brought it down to three days the most. So, establishing the molecular lab for RT-PCR was, I would think, the biggest achievement for Negros Occidental.
Inspite of COVID-19, our program for farmers, especially the rice farmers continued. In fact we were recently recognized for having an increase in our average-per-hectare yield. There was an increase of 4.6 per hectare and even Secretary William Dar of the Department of Agriculture gave us due recognition. COVID did not stop us from helping our farmers and, at the same time, it did not stop us from helping our hog raisers. We continue to distribute piglets to improve the quality of pigs being raised by our animal farmers.
We continue to protect the province from ASF to the extent that our hog raiser experience somehow a bonanza for they were given the chance to sell to Manila since the price there is higher than in the local market, because the problem of ASF is still in Luzon and they have not recovered yet. We were still able to implement our goat project.
If there is anything that was affected COVID, it’s usually the seminar of the different departments. Actually, we were able to revert the budget for seminars to address the problem of COVID. But one thing good, what we have also discovered we can have meetings through Zoom and go viral. It doesn’t have to be face-to-face meeting. Sometimes, I feel Zoom meetings are more beneficial because the participants are much focused to listen on what is being talked about.
Basically, COVID really affected our movement, but it did not affect the delivery of basic services for our constituents. The province was able to help all the LGUs in the distribution of rice at the onset of COVID, which was an achievement for the province.
What were the priorities of the Capitol that were affected by COVID?
Like what I said, the priorities that we set we were able to implement and even our intention to expand our provincial hospital will continue. I’m just waiting for the download of an amount before I will announce it, although I was assured by a senator that an amount of P50 million will be downloaded for Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital as part of the expansion.
What will be your priorities for 2021 even with the continued threat of the pandemic?
As far as infrastructure is concerned, we will continue to build roads, school buildings and we will continue to help the rice farmers and animal raisers.
Basically, these are the programs that will continue to help our economy. We will be adding more rooms and build areas for infectious disease in case the COVID-19 continues, as well as an isolation area at the Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital. This will be the project of the Department of Health.
What step will you take next in your plan to transfer the Capitol to Talisay City?
We will be having a meeting sometime in January to finally decide if the local chief executives agree. More importantly, I will be setting down with the business sector on what they think about the planned transfer.
I want to make it clear that we are just moving the address of our Capitol building but this old capitol building will remain and still be functional.
With the province still on Modified General Community Quarantine status, do you think this is a good measure to control the spread of the virus?
Yes, it’s the most lenient, but still there are other measures that we can implement, like swabbing in the sea ports and airports. We will continue that, but I will admit it will become strenuous to our finances, but you know, as long as we have the money, hoping that in the new year we will have the new fund so we can continue.
What is your New Year’s message for Negrosanons?
COVID is still around. In fact, there is a new variant that experts tell us is more contagious. The protocol is, therefore, the same, so I hope Negrenses will continue to practice the minimum health standards – face mask, face shield and social distancing. This is the only way that we can protect ourselves and protect others.
The province, based on savings, is also considering buying anti-COVID vaccines if there is a need, but I’m hoping the national government will, at least, take care of the frontliners. I hope the national government will also take care of the indigents. I appeal again to Negrenses to be cooperative and not bring down their guard. I think COVID will still be in the country for a while. – MML
