Guv lays down 3-year plan at SP inaugural session

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson presented his plans and programs for the next three years under the Abanse Negrense Development Agenda during the 36th Inaugural Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan held at the Capitol Social Hall, Tuesday afternoon.

“I would like to Congratulate Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer and all the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, for the fresh mandate conferred by the resounding support and confidence of our fellow Negrenses,” said Gov. Lacson.

The governor thanked the entire body for the solid and unfailing support given to the plans and programs of the province under the Abanse Negrense Development Agenda.

“Today, as we seek to advance and move forward, and recover from the untoward consequences of the recent crisis, I solicit from you the same degree of accord and support,” he said.

In the Health Sector, Gov. Lacson looks into the full implementation of the Universal Health Care Program by expanding the existing Provincial Health Board through the six Inter-local Health Zones.

For the Disaster Response, the governor aims to improve the Automated Early Warning System through the installation of repeaters to concerned barangays, aside from the existing programs.

Scholarship programs will also be made more accessible and inclusive, while the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center Global Campus in Talisay City will officially be opened next year, and school facilities destroyed by Typhoon Odette will also be repaired.

Meanwhile, as the boxing, football and softball powerhouse, the province will be holding more training programs and sports clinic to cultivate home grown athletes; the Panaad Park and Stadium will also be rehabilitated.

The provincial government will also work closely with the DILG to ensure peace and order among different civil-society groups.

Food and water security will also be given priority by increasing the number of seed banks and acquiring bulk water projects that will tap water surface.

Additionally, Gov. Lacson will welcome investors in the power sector that will bring 32MW of clean hydro-electric power.

The concreting of the Provincial Roads will continue as well as the construction of farm-to-market roads, and repair and maintenance of overflow bridges.

Economic Tourism Development and Revenue Generation will also be given utmost importance.

“We will strive to recover the income that we lost during the pandemic and Typhoon Odette by improving our economic enterprises development initiatives.”

The Food Terminal Market or Pala-Pala will also be fully operational, while the Cyber Center will continue to be more profitable. The Governor also promised to modernize and upgrade the IT equipment to simplify the flow of doing business with the government.

“At this point in our common history as a people and as a province, considering that we are in a decisive and historic period to usher our province to the future, it is our solemn responsibility to see to it that Negros Occidental will emerge stronger and more progressive than before,” said Gov. Lacson.

Meanwhile, the SP Members were also assigned of their respective committee chairmanships during the Inaugural Session.