By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
WITNESSING and at the same time covering the inauguration and oath-taking of the elected officials of Negros Occidental at the capitol grounds in Bacolod City on June 25 was more than a privilege.
But hearing Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson delivering his 26-minute inaugural address was a sublime experience. His simplicity and humility “contagiously” swathed the venue, sending almost everyone to astonishment.
Billed as a “pandemic governor”, he was more than challenged. But he stayed in the line, kept motivated, and delivered what he is ought to do for the sake of more than two million Negrensanons.
Triumphantly, he stressed, his administration surmounted the “oddest and dreaded” novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
What a feat! Negrosanons – rich or poor- are indeed elated and so proud of him.
‘MILESTONES WITH THE HEART’
Personally examining the list of projects and programs he implemented amid the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ll name some of his “milestones with the heart”.
* Establishment of a molecular laboratory for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on COVID-19 at the Teresita Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital (TJMPH) in Silay City
* Construction of a 100-bed isolation center in Cadiz City for COVID-19 positive
* Acquisition of six specialized (bubbled) ambulances for COVID-19, among other highly contagious patients* Opening of Human Milk Bank (HMB) also at TJMPH.
* Digitizing Health and Emergency Management (DHEM)
* Setting up of One Hospital Command (OHC)
* Introducing the Automated Early Warning System (AEWS)
* Institutionalizing the Emergency Rescue 911
* Purchase of Water Rescue Logistic Truck (WRLT)
All were meant to save lives amidst any human or health crunch.
‘EDUCATION CHAMPION’
Bong, too, is an “education champion”.
Under his watch, the provincial government expanded the scholarship programs to make them more inclusive and accessible to all sectors, particularly the underprivileged.
Through the well-established Negros Occidental Scholarship Programs (NOSP) Division, Bong, for his second term, added new scholarship programs for the following:
* Dependents of non-returning and/or displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the province
* Barangay leaders and health workers
* Persons with disabilities
* Green or environmental warriors/advocates
* Children of rebel returnees (RRs)
Bong also dauntlessly builds the P135-M state-of-the-art global campus for Negros Occidental Language, Information and Technology Center (NOLITC) in Hacienda Manaul, Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City. Straddling on a 2.5-hectare lot property, such, dubbed as one of its kind in the province, is about to be completed next year.
Then, it’ll cater more out-school-youth, college dropouts, high school graduates and unemployed college graduates by providing them more quality training to more employment opportunities.
NOLITC, for about 12 years, has created a niche for honing future call center agents, animators, digital layout artists and robotic enthusiasts.
“Peerless”, indeed!
‘PEACE LOVER’
Bong is also a “peace lover” leader. He is “itching” to conclude the rebellion in Negros. This, as he articulated: “Choosing peace is always the better choice!”
“But the walk for peace is a long one,” he confessed though.
Thus, he emphatically said the provincial government (under his watch) will never cease implementing lots of peace-building activities/initiatives, particularly in the rural communities.
Soonest, he’ll establish centers for children in situation of armed conflict, and implement sustainable socio-entrepreneurial interventions, including subsidies for the education and health cards for rebel returnees’ dependents.
Above all, Bong’s “heart-warming message” to Negrosanons who are still active in the rebel movement: “Please know that we’re just here and eager to welcome you back!”
WATER SECURITY
Topping his environment concerns, on the other hand, is his enormous quest for water security in the province.
In the next three years, Bong wants to see the (full) implementation of the Integrated Provincial Safe Water Program (IPSWP).
“It’s time to develop and protect the province’s three major rivers – Malogo, Bago and Ilog-Hilabangan,” the governor stressed.
Purposes of such proposed ingenuity comprise the following:
* Maximize the use of surface waters
* Preserve the use of ground water for environmental protection to prevent salt intrusion, siltation and soil erosion
* Provide alternative agriculture, economic and tourism livelihood interventions to Negrosanons.
Moreover, the governor also lined up some of his notable achievements, including newly-planned programs and projects on environmental and tourism concerns, social services, infrastructure development, revenue generation and sports.
Digitalization, likewise, is now among his public service “menu”.
He said, “It’s also high time to show to the world that Negros is more than just sugar.”
‘ONE STEP AHEAD’
Beyond all, Bong’s “tallest order” now to his department heads: “Avert the possible food crisis.”
And he ain’t joking. He wants the province to be “one step ahead” before the feared food crisis engulfs the country by the end of 2022. Hence, as early as now, he wants to see to it that food security must be given an utmost priority.
He’d already instructed both the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) and the Provincial Veterinarian (OPV) to draw/draft measures aimed at ensuring food sufficiency.
Quick thinking, so, aksyon agad!
Likewise, he asked both OPA and OPV to do certain initiatives to save at all cost the P6-B and P4-B swine and livestock industries in the province, respectively.
Still, he wants Negros to remain as the number one hog and livestock or even poultry producer all over the country amid threat of both Avian Influenza (bird flu) and African Swine Fever (ASF).
‘SECOND TO NONE’
In sum, Bong isn’t a “showy” kind of political leader. He speaks less, but acts beyond what’s expected of him.
An array of his major accomplishments will vouch his “visible and feelable” style of governance that, perhaps, is “second to none” in the orb of public service.
Nonetheless, Bong’s political maturity-slash-adroitness is quite “superlative”. And that probably endeared him to most Negrosanons./PN
