WHEN I think of Neil Lizares, one thing that always comes to mind is that he is among the most prim and proper mayors Negros Occidental has ever had.
The term-limited Mayor Neil of Talisay City is known for his tagline, Gwapo nga Serbisyo — a slogan that not only reflects his governance style but also complements his well-groomed appearance. In fact, his good looks could put him in the same league as congressmen Richard Gomez (Leyte’s 4th District), Dan Fernandez (Sta. Rosa’s Lone District in Laguna), Arjo Atayde (Quezon City’s 1st District), or even Pasig City’s Mayor Vico Sotto.
But never mind the looks.
What truly caught my attention was his response to the recent violence related to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in Hacienda San Antonio Dos, Barangay Dos Hermanas, Talisay City, on January 31.
The incident involved a confrontation between agrarian reform beneficiary (ARB) Barbie Jane Salumag and security guard Jose Alonsaga, which went viral on social media. Alonsaga pointed a gun at Salumag, threatened to shoot her, and later fired a warning shot.
Disturbed by the Facebook Live video, Mayor Neil swiftly issued a statement condemning Alonsaga’s actions as both alarming and unacceptable. He then ordered a full-scale investigation to ensure that appropriate legal action would be taken.
“I have always been clear on my stand that I do not and will not tolerate any kind of violence against any Talisaynon,” he asserted.
To prevent the situation from escalating further, Mayor Neil also deployed the Talisay police force to secure the disputed property.
There’s Angst
A closer reading of Mayor Neil’s statement reveals a tone of deep-seated angst — one that immediately doused the flames of tension in Hacienda San Antonio Dos.
His words were more than just a declaration; they were like sharp swords, delivering a stern warning to those who sought to trample the rights of the poor and oppressed.
And then, just like that, peace followed.
Unbelievable, but it happened.
Perhaps the mayor himself, or whoever crafted his statement, chose the right words — simple, clear, and weighty enough to send a strong message.
For the 15 farming families threatened by the security guards of the contested 22-hectare CARP land, those words became a formidable refuge, offering them reassurance amid the uncertainty.
At its core, the mayor’s statement was straightforward: he had little interest in the land dispute itself, but he made one thing clear—no one should dare bring violence into his administration, especially against his beloved people, the poor and defenseless.
Sounded Like Thunder
Mayor Neil’s statement echoed like thunder.
“No kind of violence can ever be justified,” he declared.
A simple yet powerful line—meaty in its substance and weight.
Put simply, it had it.
And this is what makes Mayor Neil a chief executive truly worthy of praise and respect.
His words did not just carry authority; they radiated peace. That alone makes them commendable.
Like Cesar Chavez
Mayor Neil’s statement also brings to mind the late Cesar Chavez, a poor Mexican-American migrant who etched his name in history with the famous 1,000-Mile March for farm workers’ rights in California, USA, many years ago.
For those unfamiliar, Chavez walked over 1,000 miles in 59 consecutive days to complete a historic march along the California coast. His goal was to educate farm workers about their right to form a union, following the passage of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act (CALRA).
Chavez’s unwavering commitment to farm workers has left an indelible mark on world history — one that’s difficult to erase.
Standing Tall
Despite coming from the well-off Lizares family of Negros, Mayor Neil has proven that his leadership is not selective — it serves both the rich and the poor alike.
The case of the 15 farming families in Hacienda San Antonio Dos became a test case for his leadership which, for nine years.
In essence, Mayor Neil has given true meaning to his own political slogan — one that goes beyond mere appearances. His leadership is not just about face value but about knowing when and where to show his resolve, his angst and fangs, to protect his people from harm.
Amid the land dispute and gun violence, Mayor Neil stood tall as the mighty authority in Talisay — one whose orders are meant to be followed, neither more nor less.
And so, we extend our salute to the simple, soft-spoken, yet dependable mayor of Talisay.
Anyway
The distasteful incident in Hacienda San Antonio Dos stemmed from a hushed five-month land dispute over a 22-hectare property.
The lessee, or arindador, has refused to return the land, claiming to have already purchased it from the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) for P3 million. Reportedly, there is a Certificate of Sale (CoS) signed by representatives of each of the 15 families involved, dating back to 2016.
However, the farmer-complainants dispute this claim. They insist they never received P3 million — only P180,000.
But as they continued to fight for their rights to reclaim their land, the harassment escalated. Their crops were bulldozed, they faced daily threats, and gun-toting security guards kept them in fear.
Then came the worst of it on Friday, January 31.
But thanks to Barbie Jane Salumag’s courage, she refused to be intimidated. Instead, she boldly went live on Facebook, exposing the incident to the public.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) director Col. Rainerio de Chavez confirmed that three criminal charges have already been filed in a Talisay City court against security guard Alonsaga. These include grave threat, illegal discharge of a firearm, and violation of the Commission on Elections gun ban.
Lucresia Taberna Sumayo, OIC-director of DAR-Negros Island Region, on the other hand, said the current mess at Hacienda San Antonio needs to be resolved by a regular court. DAR is already out on this matter because it already involves a certain contract binding between the ARBs and a private lessee.
However, DAR emphasized that the Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) of the protesting farmers remain legal and valid, meaning the land cannot yet be legally sold to anyone./PN
