By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
LIVING the dream?
Yes, Saraviahanons seem to be savoring it now. They’re basically enjoying the current prominence-slash-gain(s) of their town (Municipality of E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental) be it in tourism, environmental protection, infrastructure, and economic investments, among others.
It is as if the “speed of developments” in the town is “en route to greatness”, thus, “too fast to reach”.
Or quite unthinkable for some, perhaps! But proofs are there (already). And will remain “indelible” forever so nothing more than, hence.
Question: Is there a magic?
“Nope!” retorted Mayor Marvin Malacon. “Everything that EB Magalona has now is because of careful planning and study, focus, perseverance, and the will to achieve things we want whatever happens.”
Prodigious!
MORE THAN ‘SIKAT’
But let’s be specific. What are in EB Magalona that made her more than sikat now?
First thing first: the newly-established roll-on/roll-off (roro) port by FF Cruz Shipping in Barangay Manta-angan.
EB Magalona is second to Pulupandan among the 19 municipalities in the province to have commercial ports.
Though private, the new nautical route it opened on April 27 (EB Magalona – Ajuy, Iloilo and vice versa) is really projected to spell lots of goodness for the town.
Business and investment trajectory in town made an almost 360 degrees turnaround.
Thus, from being “timid” before, EB Magalona is fast becoming a by-word in the business community of the province.
FF Cruz’s port is gradually putting EB Magalona both in the tourism and economic maps of the country.
Mayor Malacon is currently feeling “beyond quantification”. In an interview with “Ang Probinsya suBONG” on Capitol’s Radyo Negrense, the mayor can’t help but express gladness and gratefulness to FF Cruz Shipping management.
“With their (FF Cruz) port, we’re beyond blessed,” he quipped.
Hence, he assured the public that he’ll be doing everything to provide a viable road network that will complement to this port.
“Greatness is in the offing, so we’ll hold it tight.”
‘MORE FUN’ AND SATIATING
Moreover, the mayor is confident that FF Cruz’s roro port will further their town’s tourism and investment promotions.
EB Magalona is home to the famous and tasty blue crabs. But eating such is “more fun” and satiating right there at their sanctuary – the Mangrove Eco-Trail in Barangay Tomongtong.
Aside from blue crabs, tourists flocking area can also “feast” on various seafood like oysters (talaba), shrimps, shells, among others.
Eco-trail is a lush greenery of more than 20-hectare, three-decade mangrove forest. Exploring such could be an amazing–cum-superb adventure with nature. Adjacent to it, is the Tuburan Sunset View. It offers great site for sunset fanatics. The location is an old port in Barangay Tuburan converted into an al fresco dining area.
The newly-opened Isla Madalag Eco-Haven in Barangay Madalag is also one stunning destination for both nature and seafood lovers. But one great thing there, you can have an extraordinary ala Thailand floating market experience.
Too, you’ll be delighted there with lots of fresh seafood widely-known for their distinctive taste due to the salinity of waters in the area.
VIVACIOUS DREAM
Saraviahanons’ morale is also boosted by the newly-constructed Saravia Commercial Building (new town market). The edifice ruminates Saraviahanons’ vivacious dream of having “beyond the usual” public market.
Though it’s a product of the controversial P200-M loan in 2017, Mayor Malacon proved to everyone that such ain’t a waste of money, indeed! Rather, it’s now more than a legacy, spurring more and more investments in town.
But the truth is, because of this controversial project, the mayor was jeered before, but cheered after. Just armed with formidable will and determination, he weathered and yet surmounted even the “nastiest” public perceptions and baseless allegations. What a “fate-cum-feat”, therefore!
‘NOBLEST’
Meanwhile, coming soon in town is a modern pala-pala (fish port). Currently situated in Barangay Manta-angan beside the roro port, the town’s pala-pala will be relocated to the poblacion area just in front of the national high school along the main highway soonest. Construction is now going on at Barangay 2-Poblacion. Logic and rationale behind: make the fish port accessible to all, including the (ordinary) passerby.
Also waiting to be operational sooner is the Land Transportation Office (LTO)- District Office in Barangay Tabigue. Before construction, the said office was supposed to be an extension only of LTO.
Lately, however, Negros Occidental’s 3rd District Representative Jose Francisco “Kiko’ Benitez filed House Bill No. 8034, making it into a district office.
The “wisdom” behind Kiko’s move is that all revenues derived from the transactions in this district office will support the entire LTO operations. And the said measure had been approved already. Therefore, the blessing and inauguration of the said LTO district office will be held anytime soonest.
But what’s unique here is that EB Magalona, in truth and in fact, is the smallest among the five localities in the 3rd District, and yet is the host of this LTO district office. Thus, Mayor Malacon was so thankful to Mr. Garry Acuna for donating a piece land for this “noblest” project.
Also, facilitating the construction of several farm-to-market roads with solar lamp posts (as street lights) in several rural barangays in town made the mayor well-known among rural folks. The reconstruction of Nanca-Cudangdang bridge also impacted his leadership. The bridge was damaged by super typhoon “Yolanda” in 2013. And it took more than eight years to build a new one. Great news, anyways!
Thanks to Mayor Malacon, Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and office of Cong. Benitez for the funds and efforts.
‘PERFECTLY IMPERFECT’
On the other hand, the mayor can’t deny that he’s perceived to be “uncouth” sometimes.
For him, however, there’s no substitute for being candid. Leading the town is no joke.
Whether he likes it or not, he needs to be multi-faceted. N eed to be good or very good most of the time, but “bad” or “very bad” sometimes.
Though “feared” by some, the truth is Mayor Malacon is “endearing” to everyone. That is why he could be “perfectly imperfect”, but leadership-wise, he is splendid.
Nonetheless, being a businessman and dubbed as a “man on the street” served as his astounding asset in leading the town.
Amidst “progress unlimited” in EB Magalona right now, Mayor Malacon, if given the chance, still wants to do more even beyond his third and final term. Thus, as early as now, he’s batting for continuity. What’s in his mind: create a robust economy for EB Magalona! In furtherance, he wants his successor three years from now to really value the “essence of openness” in public service.
Such speaks of his “timeless” brand of leadership! Simple yet embraceable among ordinary people!/PN
