Marcos, First Lady in Bacolod for farmers aid

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos will be arriving in Bacolod City on Thursday, June 27, 2024, for the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks and Families (PAFFF) event, according to Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez.

In a press conference at the Bacolod Government Center on Tuesday, Benitez stated, “To my understanding, they will be here on June 27, 2024, for the Presidential Assistance for Farmers, Fisherfolks and Families (PAFFF) to be held in this city.”

When asked if President Marcos would visit the city government’s housing project under the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program at the Arao relocation site in Barangay Vista Alegre, Benitez said no, but did not elaborate.

The mayor previously mentioned that the housing project would be inaugurated before President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) this year.

Benitez confirmed that President Marcos would attend the PAFFF activity, while the First Lady will be there for her “Lab for All” program.

“Lab for All” is an initiative led by the First Lady aimed at extending medical services and social security benefits to communities nationwide.

Negros Island Region

Regarding the newly signed Negros Island Region (NIR) law, Benitez expressed hope that the Technical Working Group (TWG) would consider renaming it to Negros and Siquijor Island Region (NASIR).

He referred to the name changes of Regions 4A and 4B to Calabarzon and Mimaropa, respectively, saying,

“It’s a suggestion, and hopefully the Technical Working Group can consider it so instead of being called NIR, we may be called NASIR.”

Benitez also shared a lighthearted exchange with Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, who joked about the separation implied by the creation of the new region.

“Consider this nga ang bata mo gin kasal. Consider this not as subtraction but an addition since we are proposing NISAR or NIR or Region 18 be included in Western Visayas Region.”

He hopes Negros Oriental and Siquijor will not mind this suggestion and will remain part of Western Visayas.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s Resignation

When asked about Vice President Sara Duterte’s resignation as Secretary of Education, Benitez remarked, “I have already said that my suggestion for the sake of what is happening, it might be better for her to do so.”

He described her decision as a good one and added, “But the question is who will be the next DepEd Secretary? I hope it will be one from Western Visayas or Visayas.”