By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE COVID-19 pandemic and super typhoon “Odette” revealed who Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson really is – an excellent fiscal manager.
Capitol’s anti-COVID-19 responses for almost two years now aren’t just consistent, but bravura as well.
Gov. Lacson’s quick decision to put up a Molecular Laboratory (ML) at the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) in Silay City for (daily) reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests was one brilliant idea. Believe it or not, it now performs around 1,300 tests daily. Results are available within 24 hours, and can be accessed online.
With this ML, Capitol is always one step ahead in its anti-COVID-19 responses.
Capitol also earned praises for its very well-supported healing centers in Silay City, Cadiz City, EB Magalona, and Mambukal Mountain Resort in Murcia.
Its three COVID-19-designated hospitals – TLJPH, Valladolid District Hospital and Cadiz City District Hospital also did so well.
Moreover, Capitol, aside from the national help, also poured out substantial amounts aimed at securing everyone’s safety against the dreaded virus.
EXTRAORDINARY
Despite Capitol’s “heavy spending” on anti-COVID-19 responses, Gov. Lacson still managed to “gift” 3,746 permanent and casual employees of the province with the whooping P243,490,000 – or P65,000 each – as special Christmas bonus last December.
Such “extraordinary bonus” was a product of “extraordinary decision” courtesy of an “extraordinary fiscal management” by a chief executive like Gov. Lacson.
It was also an act labeled as a mark of real concern (tanda sang lubos nga pag-ulikid) for Capitol employees who, according to the governor, deserve the “best” for also acting as frontliners in their various COVID-19 responses.
One-of-a-kind discerning, hence!
TESTED AND PROVEN
On the other hand, the onslaught of super typhoon “Odette” in southern Negros on December 16, 2021 also tested Gov. Lacson’s “might” as the province’s top honcho.
Right after “Odette” was like doomsday in the south, especially in Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Candoni, Kabankalan and Sipalay (CHICKS) area. At least 40 people were reported dead.
Damage in agriculture, livelihood and infrastructure were pegged at more than P6-billion.
No power and water for about one month.
A total of 65,871 houses were destroyed while 190,868 were damaged.
But Gov. Lacson didn’t allow himself to be “dwarfed” by this grim reality. Rather, he maintained his focus and presence of mind in serving the affected Negrenses.
Right there and then, he ordered the immediate release of P50 million from Capitol’s coffer.
The amount was used in the emergency purchase of roofing materials for those with toppled houses or rendered roofless by “Odette”.
This January, aside from the P90-M fund donation from the National Housing Authority (NHA) and another P41-M from the Bureau of Treasury (BTr), the provincial government released P13.8-M to augment the shelter assistance in the south.
The province also allotted another P500-M for “Odette” victims and other disaster(s) to happen this year.
Likewise, the establishment of a command center in Kabankalan City for centralized relief operations by the province for “Odette” victims in the CHICKS area was also a notable endeavor.
COMPASSIONATE HEART
In a nutshell, therefore, Gov. Lacson really impressed Negrenses with his unique yet vibrant and exemplary brand of leadership. He displayed the “real Bong” who has the compassionate heart and superb mental calculation. Both “assets” helped him become prudent in his spending with the province’s P4.5-B budget last year, and proper identification of priorities. Thus, amid challenges, he didn’t rattle.
Indeed, his being “calm yet prepared” was an assurance of stability come hell or high water.
Sans elaboration, Gov. Lacson is truly a rare breed of politico that Negros is having right now. Above all, having a compassionate heart is quite a “bonanza” for Negrosanons from all walks of life.
GREAT REALIZATION
Cadiz City mayor Salvador “Bading” Escalante also expressed great realization amid COVID-19 pandemic.
At the height of lockdowns and border controls last year, he said, Cadiznons survived by consuming their own farm products.
“That’s one great realization-cum-lesson taught to us by the current health pandemic which we couldn’t afford to ignore,” he stressed.
Thus, in their 2022 budget, they’ve earmarked P850 million just for agricultural modernization programs and projects.
Such huge amount, he furthered, will be devoted to concreting major rural roads in 22 barangays, including the farthest and remotest Barangay Celestino Villasin.
They’ll also purchase hybrid seeds and fertilizers plus first generation (FirstGen) swine for breeding.
The city will also secure the most advanced rice mill(s) for their rice farmers.
“We need to capacitate our farmers now. We need to take care of them because we (really) owe everything to them during the pandemic,” said Mayor Bading.
He also showed a bit of concern to their city’s artists amid COVID-19. Artists are among those greatly affected by the health pandemic. The mayor understands their “mental anguish”.
Giving them “space and time” to once again showcase their masterpieces in an exhibit in a mall is, somehow, a striking initiative of the mayor to help them cope with the real-time challenges brought about by COVID-19.
Kudos to Mayor Escalante!
Having this kind of mindset towards art appreciation in the midst of uncertainties is quite “marvelous”. “Lain gid siya sa iban” (unique from others).
May his tribe increase!/PN
