By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the inclusion of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island bridge in President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) is positive news.
Lacson also said the President’s emphasis on the development and capacity building of the agriculture sector, including bio-security measures for farm animals, “is indeed something to look forward to.”
Lacson said that “his (Marcos) focus on water security also coincides with our present initiative, the Provincial Integrated Water Security Plan.”
“The positive developments in the economy – the present growth rate and the improvement of the inflation rate – are of course, welcome news,” he further said.
Lacson said that as chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council for Region VI, “I join the President in his call for ending the armed struggle through capacity building, reintegration, and amnesty to rebel returnees. The promotion of participatory initiatives in the attainment of the country’s peace agenda is the more sustainable way of peace.”
On his part, Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya said that “It is a pleasure to know that our plans and vision in service align, especially in terms of health, education and capacity-building, social services, and infrastructure development.”
He added that “as evident in the thousands of scholars, medical and financial assistance beneficiaries, and emergency employment grants, the National Government has been nothing short of supportive in our efforts to realize and enable our goals for the City of Bacolod and its people.”
“The reassurance of the President to link Negros, Panay, and Guimaras is also a welcome development as it would truly help stimulate local tourism and economic growth in the region,” Gasataya further said.
As representative of the Lone District of Bacolod, “we will continue working with the National Government towards a brighter future for Bacolod City and our nation,” he added.
On his part Neg. Occ. 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III said he is “very hopeful and optimistic with the creation of more jobs, putting emphasis on Agriculture and fisheries, together with increase infrastructure spending and inflation going down to 2-3% by 2024, Panay-Guimaras-Negros Bridge.”
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Albee Benitez said, “I am committed to aligning our local government efforts with the national agenda to bring about positive change for our citizens, and I am confident that similar dedication is mirrored in leaders across the country.”
“Hand in hand with the national government, we shall work tirelessly to fulfill the aspirations of every Filipino, knowing that the administration’s efforts benefit not only Bacolod but the entire nation,” he further said.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental 5th District Rep. Dino Yulo said he is elated about the State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for a number of reasons:
-Prominently mentioned was the Iloilo-Guimaras-Negros Bridge
-The completion of the Visayan Grid Interconnection
-The proposed tax on Sugar Sweetened was not mentioned.
