Lacson Prioritizes Health, Environment in Final Term

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Tuesday, July 8, said he will focus his final term on strengthening the province’s health system and promoting environmental sustainability.

Speaking at the 37th Inaugural Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Lacson said top priorities include enhancing sub-provincial health systems and designating the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital as an apex facility.

Plans also include expanding telemedicine and support infrastructure to improve access to healthcare.

Lacson said his administration will also boost food security, improve education and tourism, and advance environmental protection.

“Our purpose is clear – to finish strong, institutionalize gains, and ensure that today’s efforts create an enduring impact beyond my term,” he said.

In agriculture, Lacson said the province will invest in promoting high-value crops to strengthen food security and drive rural transformation.

He emphasized that environmental sustainability remains a core goal, with greenbelt zones, responsible mining, and climate resilience as key strategies.

He also assured the public that the Provincial Energy Code will be passed during his term.

Education and human capital development will continue through the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC), global learning partnerships, and the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program (NOSP).

“We will boost MSME growth through skills training, market access, and digital integration,” he added.

Tourism and cultural initiatives will highlight heritage conservation, eco-tourism, and the global recognition of the sugar cultural landscape.

Infrastructure investment will support inclusive growth, including the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Training Center to help communities prepare for disasters.

“At the core of all these efforts is our commitment to digital transformation, innovation, and good governance – anchoring Negros Occidental as a model of service, resilience, and inclusive progress,” Lacson said.

“These are our goals, not for recognition, but for real and lasting impact for every Negrense.”

Vice Governor Jose Benito Alonso, in his remarks, said the Abanse Negrense brand of governance has improved access to healthcare, education, and employment across the province.

He assured the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will support the governor’s programs but clarified that “we will not be a rubber stamp.”

During the session, the SP approved a resolution authorizing Vice Governor Alonso to appoint the chairpersons of its 30 committees.

The appointed chairs are as follows:

• Food and Agriculture: Andrew Gerald Montelibano
• Barangay Affairs: Richard Julius Sablan
• Cooperatives: Jeffrey Tubolo
• Disaster Preparedness: Genaro Alvarez IV
• Education: Rita Angela Gatuslao
• Energy, Public Utilities and Transportation: Sixto Teofulo Roxas Guanzon Jr.
• Environmental Protection: Montelibano
• Internal Ethics, Privileges and Discipline: Guanzon
• Appropriations, Budget, Finance, Ways and Means: Lawrence Marxlen Dela Cruz
• Games and Amusement: Montelibano
• Good Governance: Sablan
• Government Assets: Mayvelyn Madrid
• Government Enterprise and Privatization: Patrick Paula Alonso-Valderrama
• Health and Social Services: Araceli Somosa
• History, Arts and Culture: Arthur Christopher Marañon
• Human Resource: Somosa
• Human Rights: Hadji Trojillo
• Information and Communications Technology: Julius Asistio
• International Relations: Nicholas Yulo
• Labor and Employment: Jeffrey Tubola
• Oversight: Hope Marey Depasucat
• Peace and Order: Sablan
• Public Works, Housing and Land Use: Alonso
• Rules, Law and Ordinances: Guanzon
• Senior Citizens, PWD and Indigenous People: Gatuslao
• Trade, Industry and Commerce: Yulo
• Women, Family Welfare and the Negros Child: Gatuslao
• Youth and Sports: Madrid