Progress must reach the least, says Negros Occidental governor

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has called on newly elected mayors and provincial officials to work toward building a more inclusive and progressive province.

Lacson made the appeal as he led the Executive Briefing on the State of Governance and Development Situation of the Province, held recently at the Negros Residences in this city.

“Let us strive for a province that is safer, more inclusive, and progressive,” Lacson said.

He added, “It is time that in Negros Occidental, progress is felt by those who have the least—because if it is not felt, then we have fallen short of building a just and inclusive society for our constituents.”

Inclusive growth, he emphasized, must bring tangible improvements to the quality of life of every Negrense.

“This is the kind of development we should aim for, because as elected officials, this is the kind of future we owe to our fellow Negrenses,” Lacson said.

Vice Governor Jose Benito Alonso, in his welcome message, said, “New term, new mandate from our electorate: to serve our Negrosanons the best we can.”

He added that the Executive Briefing sets the tone for Negros Occidental’s priority programs for the next three years—what services will be prioritized, how they will be delivered, and who may avail of them.

“With our commitment to unity, cooperation, and service to the people toward common goals—alongside open communication lines among departments and offices—I am confident we can take Negros Occidental to new heights,” he said.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II presented the Provincial Development Agenda, anchored on the Abanse Negrense development framework.

It includes flagship projects aligned with local government units (LGUs), such as the PHP4 billion Bulk Water and Septage Project, the ZERO Open Defecation Program, the Community-Based Nutrition Program, and initiatives on land banking, resettlement, housing, and evacuation center construction.

During the activity, board members, mayors, and other participants grouped by district to identify common issues and propose solutions.

Major concerns raised included access to safe drinking water, sanitation, malnutrition, poverty, flooding, and risks posed by Mt. Kanlaon.

Participants shared situations in their communities, identified commonalities, and presented actionable recommendations.

Local officials also outlined their proposed programs in support of the provincial government’s initiatives.

Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Antonio Peña, president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines–Negros Occidental chapter, said the Executive Briefing helps create a comprehensive and inclusive roadmap addressing the province’s and LGUs’ core needs.

“This will improve social services, strengthen disaster preparedness, expand access to education, promote peace and order, secure food systems, protect the environment, enhance infrastructure, and stimulate economic growth,” Peña said.

“These are the very priorities that resonate with every LGU. Thus, as LMP president, I express my support for the Provincial Development Agenda,” he added.

“Together, with unity of purpose, collaborative governance, and a deep sense of duty to our people, we can build a progressive, resilient, and future-ready Negros Occidental,” Peña said.

Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., president of the Association of Chief Executives of Negros Occidental, said the briefing was not merely a performance presentation but “a bold and necessary reflection on where we are as local government units, where we need to be, and what we must do to get there.”

“We have seen the governor’s clear and forward-thinking agenda for the next three years,” he said.

“But more importantly, we have acknowledged the pressing gaps between standards and the day-to-day realities we face in our cities and municipalities.”

“Within these challenges lies opportunity—the opportunity to align, to innovate, and to collaborate,” Escalante added.

“Together, we will close the gaps. Together, we will raise the bar.”

Department of the Interior and Local Government Provincial Director Teodora Sumagaysay, who also serves as acting regional director for the Negros Island Region, said the briefing is a platform for knowledge sharing and discussion.

She said it enables decision-makers and policy shapers to develop sound solutions to urgent local issues.

The activity was initiated by the DILG in coordination with the Office of the Provincial Administrator and the Provincial Planning and Development Office.

It was held in compliance with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2025-016.

The circular mandates a formal turnover for newly elected officials, including a comprehensive briefing on governance assessments, operational protocols, responsibilities, and ongoing programs and projects.

The event was attended by provincial board members, city and municipal mayors, and department heads of the provincial government.

Also present were 303rd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Teo Dumosmog; Office of Civil Defense–Negros Island Region representative Ma. Aletha Nogra; Department of Education–Negros Occidental Schools Division Superintendent Gladys Amylaine Sales; Civil Society Organization representatives Bambi Michelle Flores of the Negros Economic Development Foundation and Sybel Nobleza of the Association of Negros Producers; and representatives from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development–NIR.