Negros Occ. mourns Marañon

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Political leaders in the province describe former Negros Occidental governor Alfredo G. Marañon Jr. as a leader with political will and a man of compassion.

Marañon died due to cardiac health complications 11:38 pm Thursday at the Riverside Medical Center here.

Maranon was a three-term governor and three-term mayor of his hometown Sagay City and congressman representing the second district.

He started his political career as councilor of Sagay, then a town way back in 1964.

He was undefeated throughout his political career.

Marañon is best remembered for his kind ways and his being open and accessible even to ordinary capitol employees.

Negros Occidental received numerous awards for excellence during his term as governor.

He was the founder of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center and Negros First projects like the Negros First Ranch.

He would have been 85 years old this December.

Moises Padilla town Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo said Marañon stood for what he believes is right.

“He was a man of compassion,” Yulo said.

She said that during the lowest ebb of their lives, it was only Marañon and now vice governor Jeffrey Ferrer who stood by them as they fought against the ” tyranny” of their uncle, former Moises Padilla mayor Magdaleno Peña.

When they were ambushed while on the campaign trail for the May 2019 election, which resulted in the death of her brother and nephew, it was only Marañon and Ferrer who braved the outskirts of the town to rescue them.

“We will never forget him, he is like a father to us,” Yulo said.

Marañon’s family said in an official statement that “It is with great sadness that the Marañon Family announces that our beloved Papa, Alfredo G Marañon, Jr., went home to our Lord at 11:38 p.m., October 1, due to complications associated with his cardiac health. He would have been 85 years old this December.”

His daughter Anna Marie Marañon-McConchie said “due to COVID-19, in lieu of a public gathering to celebrate Papa’s life, a virtual gathering will be announced to allow those who cannot be with us to honor his life and achievements.”

“We will appreciate respect for the privacy of the family during our moments of grief,” she further said.

McConchie also said that “in lieu of flowers, donations to the Carmelite Monastery will be appreciated.”

The flag at the provincial capitol was flown at half-staff to mourn Marañon’s passing.

Ferrer, who succeeded Marañon as chairman of the United Negros Alliance (UNA), issued the statement of the group.

“We, the officers and members of the United Negros Alliance (UNA), express our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family of Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr. We offer you our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

“Gov. Marañon is known to many as a compassionate, honest, and humble leader. He has devoted his time and political career in ensuring the continuous progress and development of the Province of Negros Occidental. His heart was with the marginalized and underprivileged. He advocated programs that uplift their living conditions. He was loved and respected by many.”

He added that to us at UNA, “Gov. Marañon was more than a leader. He was our mentor and our friend who had generously shared his time and wisdom to us and who had inspired us to perform our best.”

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Marañon was among “the keenest political minds of the province.”

“The life he dedicated to public service spans more than five decades which he spent addressing the prevalent problems of his hometown, his district and the province,” he added.

Lacson also said that he was Marañon’s vice governor for six years and “it was a privilege to have worked with him and to have learned from him.”

“The people of Negros Occidental share the grief of his demise, and will always remain grateful for his devotion to service and his commitment to the advancement of Negros Occidental,” he added.

Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, who traces his roots to Negros Occidental, also mourned Marañon’s death.

“I am mourning with the people of Negros Occidental and the friends and family of Gov. Alfredo Marañon. I am saddened by the loss of our former governor, who was also my colleague in the Eleventh Congress. I am blessed to have had an opportunity to work with him as congressman in my first term.”

Zubiri and Marañon both served in the Eleventh Congress as representatives of the third district of Bukidnon and the second district of Negros Occidental, respectively.

He added that with “his background in farming and aquaculture, Marañon introduced a number of environmental initiatives during his time in office, including the establishment of the Sagay Marine Reserve, and the move toward a coal-free Negros Occidental.”

“He was a visionary governor who pushed for agricultural development in Negros, and during his tenure kept the province united, which helped in the development of the province. He will be sorely missed,” Zubiri said.