ILOILO City – All six provincial governors of Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental from the Negros Island Region, have signed a manifesto reaffirming their support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
The signatories included Aklan’s Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores, Guimaras’ Gov. JC Rahman Nava, Antique’s Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, Iloil’so Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Capiz’s Gov. Fredenil Castro, and Negros Occidental’s Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson.
The manifesto, an initiative of the Visayan bloc led by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, was formally turned over to the President on Jan. 30 during a unity lunch at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
“We, the duly elected governors of the Visayas region, representing our respective provinces and the millions of Filipinos who call the Visayas home, stand united in our unwavering support for the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.,” the statement read.
The gathering brought together governors from the Visayas region, as well as mayors, vice mayors, councilors, provincial board members, and representatives from the Provincial Association of Barangay Councils in Cebu.
Other governors who signed the manifesto included Cebu’s Gov. Garcia, Bohol’s Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, Negros Oriental’s Gov. Manuel L. Sagarbarria, Biliran’s Gov. Gerard Roger Espina, Siquijor’s Gov. Jake Vincent Villa, and their counterparts from Samar and Leyte: Samar’s Gov. Sharee Ann Tan, Northern Samar’s Gov. Edwin Ongchuan, Eastern Samar’s Gov. Ben Evardone, Leyte’s Gov. Jericho Petilla, and Southern Leyte’s Gov. Damian Mercado.
Marcos Expresses Gratitude
President Marcos expressed his gratitude to the local officials from Regions 6, 7, and 8 for their support.
“I’m very grateful to all the governors of Regions 6, 7, and 8 for their expression of support. It is a very important part of nation-building to know that here in the Visayas, we have partners who will work together to advance the government’s programs,” Marcos said.
He emphasized that unity among government officials leads to smoother governance and faster implementation of projects.
Beyond the governors’ support, the League of Municipalities in Cebu also commended the President’s leadership, particularly his initiatives in driving economic growth. The Philippine Councilors League (PCL)-Cebu Chapter likewise praised Marcos’ administration, citing its responsiveness to the needs of Filipinos.
Meanwhile, members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation expressed their support for the administration’s “Bagong Pilipinas” vision, advocating for governance founded on justice, equality, accountability, unity, and integrity.
Endorsement from Local Leaders
Sixteen members of the PCL-Cebu Chapter, led by their president Ricardo Pepito, signed a separate manifesto endorsing the President’s policies. Additionally, seven SK Federation members also pledged their support for the administration’s governance vision./PN