By: Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson’s battle cry in the next three years is “Abanse Negrense.”
Lacson was sworn in as the 35th governor of the province over the weekend, alongside Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and provincial board members in ceremonies held at the capitol grounds.
In his inaugural address, Lacson said it has been a long road for him since becoming mayor of San Carlos City.
Lacson said they will continue the hard work and deepen the unity to attain the visions they have set for the people.
“We can set aside differences, and make sacrifices for the next generation. We are indeed a great province and people, but we need to reach greater heights,” Lacson said.
The governor said the provincial government will pursue programs and projects that would touch lives and change the course of the people’s socio-economic conditions.
“We hope to transform our economic gains and advancement to trickle down to every aspect of Filipino society,” he said.
Lacson said his administration will also concentrate on agriculture, education, health, tourism and the economy of the province.
“We want to continue to bring food to the table by making our farmers play a greater role in ensuring that goods will be of quality and available, and the people will have the power to purchase them,” Lacson said.
The governor further stated that he would continue the mechanization programs pushed by the previous administration as well as the continuity of the province’s crop insurance program in order to protect farmers in times of natural disturbances.
He said the province will continue reaching out to the poor through education.
Lacson said the provincial government will further improve the facilities of the provincial and district hospitals, promote a more efficient delivery of services to their constituents, and increase the number of enrolments to the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP).
“There will be difficult calls to make, decisions that would not necessarily please everyone. However, history will eventually be the judge of the merits of our work,” Lacson said.
“I call on our people to join me and our provincial officials as we pursue a vision, our shared vision and deserve our ideals for the common good,” he added. “We are connected as one family, one community and one solid government.”
