The new Negros ACE president Salvador Escalante (seated left) with mayors Greg Gasataya of Bacolod City, Mary Grace Arceo – Hinigaran, Mikaela Escalante – Manapla, Ella Garcia Yulo – Moises Padilla, Mayette Javellana – Bago City, JunB Bantug – Victorias (l-r, seated), Matthew Malacon – EB Magalona, Nehemiah dela Cruz – Salvador Benedicto, Miguel Yulo – Isabela, Gerry Rojas – Murcia, Leo Rafael Cueva – Sagay City, Ray Ruiz – Candoni, Daph Reliquias – Hinoba-an, Raymund Tongson – Himamaylan City, Benjie Miranda – Kabankalan City, Jose Luis Jalandoni – La Carlota City, Jilson Tubillara – San Enrique, Richard Jaojoco – Toboso, Joemar Alonso – Pontevedra, Añejo Nicor – La Castellana, Ricardo Presbitero – Valladolid, Manuel Aranda – Binalbagan, Melecio Yap – Escalante City and John Paul Alvarez – Ilog (l-r, standing).*Victorias PIO photo
The newly elected president of the Negros Association of Chief Executives (Negros ACE) said they will work to forge closer ties with their counterparts in Negros Oriental and Siquijor for a more cohesive Negros Island Region.
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante was elected president of the Negros ACE, an association composed of the 32 mayors of Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, at Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City on Friday, July 11.
He succeeds former Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, who is now the congressman for the 3rd District of Negros Occidental.
Escalante reiterated that one of Negros ACE’s key decisions is to reach out to their counterparts in Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
This initiative aims to strengthen relationships and maximize the potential of the Negros Island Region, he said.
Within Negros Occidental, Escalante added that the association will strengthen communication lines and promote the sharing of best practices among towns and cities.
This approach, he explained, will allow successful practices to be replicated across the province.
The Negros ACE was originally created during the time of former Governor Joseph Marañon to unite the town and city mayors of the province under one group, Escalante said.
The unity of the Negros mayors will continue until the 2028 elections and beyond, he said.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also expressed his commitment to continue supporting the Negros ACE, Escalante said
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The other new Negros ACE officers are:
• Chairman of the Board: Victorias City Mayor Abelardo “JunB” Bantug III
• Secretary General: Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso
• Treasurer: San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara
• Auditor: Candoni Mayor Ray Ruiz
• Public Information Officer: Himamaylan City Mayor Raymund Tongson
Board of Directors:
• 1st District: Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco
• 2nd District: Manapla Mayor Mikaela Escalante
• 3rd District: Victorias City Mayor JunB Bantug
• 4th District: Bago City Mayor Mayette Javellana-Yao
• 5th District: Isabela Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo
• 6th District: Honoba-an Mayor Daph Reliquias
• Lone District of Bacolod: Mayor Greg Gasataya*