• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson encouraged local government units to invest in one major heavy equipment every year if they can afford it, in the wake of the devastation brought by recent typhoons.
The encouragement was made by Lacson on Wednesday, Dec. 3, as he announced that the provincial government will invest more in equipment for disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).
“Every time there is a calamity, we always learn from it,” the governor said.
During the Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting, Lacson said the PDC discussed the need to purchase an amphibious dredger to prepare for the next calamity.
A month after Typhoon Tino hit Negros Island, the Office of Civil Defense-Negros Island Region reported that the death toll climbed to 98, with 38 individuals still missing.
Infrastructure damage was pegged at P1.2 billion while agricultural losses were placed at P1 billion.
“We will do our best in the rehabilitation of the damage brought about by Typhoon Tino,” Lacson said.
On Tuesday, the Provincial Board approved the P7.618-billion annual budget of the province for 2026.
The proposal allocates P7.32 billion for the General Fund and P294.6 million for the Economic Enterprise Development Department.
As to the priorities of the 2026 budget, Lacson said they will stick to the Abanse Negrense platform, which includes agriculture, infrastructure, health, improvement of DRRM, and digitalization. | GB
