In 1981 when Panay News started publishing, the Governor of Iloilo Province was Conrado J. Norada, a native of Miag-ao, Iloilo. He had a special message in the paper’s maiden issue on April 7 of that year. He stated:
“The emergence of another print medium…signifies an accelerating level of socio-political consciousness that we Ilonggos have acquired. I am happy to be assured that with the advancements that we are experiencing today, the print media has never failed in its role on enlightening our people.”
Norada served as governor of Iloilo from 1969 to 1986 or 17 straight years – to date still the longest-serving governor in the province’s history.
