ON JANUARY 29, I was among the media personalities invited to witness the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for a land donation intended for the proposed Talisay City Hospital.
The MOA signing took place at the mayor’s office in Talisay City Hall. The donor was the Lopez family, led by Madam Dolores “Dolly” Lopez, mother of incumbent Talisay Mayor Weng Lopez-Lizares. The donee, on the other hand, was the local government unit of Talisay City.
The donation consisted of a one-hectare parcel of land from the Lopez family property located in Barangay Zone 12-A, Talisay City.
LONG-STALLED PLAN
The proposed Talisay City Hospital has long been a stalled plan of former mayor Neil Lizares, husband of the sitting mayor. From the very first day of his assumption into office in 2016, ex-mayor Neil had been an “eager beaver” proponent of establishing a city-run hospital.
The COVID-19 pandemic further reinforced his conviction, as it laid bare the urgent need for accessible medical facilities within the city.
However, before he ended his term in June 2025, the proposed hospital became a political issue between his wife and her challenger, former vice mayor Samuel Siote. It turned into a constant subject of debate in every corner of the city and figured prominently in political sorties of both camps.
GREAT DEFENDER
Despite the obstacles, ex-mayor Neil remained a steadfast defender of what he fondly called his “unborn baby.”
Yes, he conceived it, carried it in his mind for years, but failed to deliver due to formidable hurdles. One major stumbling block was the difficulty in convincing the Department of Health (DOH) to allow Talisay to build its own hospital. The reason: its proximity to Bacolod and Silay cities, both of which already have existing hospitals.
Being just about nine kilometers from Bacolod and eight kilometers from Silay — literally sandwiched between two major cities—Talisay failed to get the DOH’s nod.
BEYOND NECESSITY
But ex-mayor Neil never abandoned his dream, believing it would save lives during medical emergencies and provide premium healthcare services to Talisaynons.
Enter his wife.
Seeing the dream as more than a necessity, Mayor Weng did not simply sit back and relax. Within her first 200 days in office, she actively explored ways to finally make the long-delayed plan a reality. Eventually, she thought of asking her own family to donate land for the project.
She asked — and she was not denied.
Thus, the MOA signing on January 29 marked the very first concrete step toward realizing her husband’s long-cherished dream. Mayor Weng also announced that the DOH has already given its green light for the construction of the hospital.
With land secured and DOH approval obtained, Mayor Weng made a firm pledge: Talisaynons will have their own city hospital before the end of her first term in 2028.
Next in line are budget preparation and the crafting of the hospital’s blueprint.
MEANINGFUL ENDEAVOR
Mayor Weng has also embarked on another meaningful endeavor — the free cervical cancer screening for Talisaynon women. Two batches have already completed the testing for the disease, now considered the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Filipino women.
Data from the DOH show that about 7,897 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed annually, with around 12 women dying from the disease every day — or roughly 4,052 deaths per year.
Truly alarming.
Driven by these figures, Mayor Weng took it upon herself to engage in an initiative aimed at preventing Talisaynon women from contracting human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. It must also be emphasized that men can be potential carriers of HPV.
Once again, this initiative reflects another firm pledge of the lady mayor — to safeguard the health and lives of Talisay women.
HAM & EGG
Casting firm commitments, after all, is about creating hope — and eventually, trust. Both virtues are vital for any public servant. Hope and trust can truly “beautify” a political career, while losing them can spell political disaster.
This brings to mind the words of Czech-American tennis legend Martina Navratilova, known as much for her wit as for her prowess on the court. She once likened involvement and commitment to ham and eggs: the chicken is involved, but the pig is committed.
In Mayor Weng’s case, the proposed hospital could well be the ham, while the anti-cervical cancer initiative is the egg.
‘SHE’
Deciphering the stories behind both the proposed hospital and the anti-cervical cancer program, one can say that Mayor Weng is guided by a strong and meaningful women’s intuition.
She displays a keen ability to understand situations and read people’s emotions through subtle cues. Watching and listening to her during press interactions, one can sense how deeply she is attached to her husband’s plan — and how resolute she is in saving Talisay women from the threat of cervical cancer.
Her significant human experience (SHE) — as a lawyer and former president of a non-profit foundation — makes her relevance as chief executive unquestionable. Her execution of tasks appears methodical and focused, while her critical thinking underscores her being an astute lady mayor.
PURPOSE-DRIVEN
In sum, both the proposed Talisay City Hospital and the anti-cervical cancer advocacy shape Mayor Weng as a purpose-driven leader — one who answers to a higher calling beyond personal gain.
It is evident that she is deeply determined to achieve specific, meaningful goals for her people. And that is Mayor Weng — now spreading her “mighty yet beautiful wings,” guided by a clear and valid purpose for Talisay City./PN
