BACOLOD City – The 37th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Negros Occidental officially convened its inaugural session on July 8 at the provincial capitol, charting a new course for provincial legislation for the three year-term from 2025 to 2028.
Presided over by Vice Gov. Jose Benito Alonso, the session opened with solemn ceremonies and the formal introduction of SP members, followed by the adoption of crucial organizational measures, including session schedules, internal rules, and committee assignments.
The session formalized the creation of 30 standing committees, designed to tackle a wide range of policy areas. Each SP member was assigned specific committees to chair, aligning their expertise with the province’s developmental goals:
1st District
* Lawrence Marxien J. de la Cruz – Finance, Budget, Ways and Means; Trade, Industry and Commerce
* Araceli T. Somosa – Health and Social Services; and Human Resource
2nd District
* Sixto Teofilo Roxas V. Guanzon, Jr. – Laws, Rules and Ordinances; Internal Ethics and Discipline; and Energy, Transportation, and Public Utilities
* Arthur Christopher D. Marañon – Tourism; and History, Culture, and Arts
3rd District
* Rita Depasucat-Sazon – Oversight
* Miguel Montelibano – Agriculture; Environment; and Games and Amusement
4th District
* Patricia Paula M. Alonso-Valderrama – Public Works and Land Use; and Government Enterprise and Privatization
* Nicholas M. Yulo – Investments and Promotions; International Relations
5th District
* Ma. Lourdes Gatuslao – Women, Family Welfare, and the Negros Child; Education; Senior Citizens, PWD, and IP
* Edwin Trojillo – Human Rights
6th District
* Anthony Alvarez – Disaster Preparedness
* Pocholo Tubola – Cooperatives; Labor and Employment
Ex-officio SP members
* Patrick Asistio – Information and Communications Technology
* Ryan Sablan – Barangay Affairs; Peace and Order; and Good Government and Accountability
* Mayvelyn Madrid – Youth and Sports; and Government Assets
Key Resolutions Passed
Meanwhile, among the major measures swiftly passed are the following:
* Adoption of a fixed schedule for SP regular sessions
* Amendment and enactment of the province’s internal rules to reflect procedural updates
* Granting of authority to Vice Gov. Alonso to appoint committee chairs, as proposed by SP member Yulo.
* Carry-over of unfinished business from the 36th SP term, ensuring legislative continuity.
Also, two urgent executive endorsements from Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson were also approved: reappointments of Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II as provincial administrator and Atty. Alberto Nellas Jr. as provincial legal officer.
Both reappointments, with a monthly salary of ₱123,120, were confirmed by the SP in line with provisions of the Local Government Code.
Vice Gov. Alonso, in his address, emphasized a legislative agenda anchored on transparency, people-focused policies, and stronger provincial governance. (Watchmen Daily Jounal)/PN
