Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., who took his oath of office for his third and final term on Friday, July 4, reaffirmed his commitment to transforming Cadiz City into “a hub of limitless opportunities”.
Escalante took his oath of office before Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Cadiz Arena.
In his inaugural speech, the mayor highlighted the city’s growing status as the “Renewable Energy (RE) Capital” of Negros Occidental, a press release from Cadiz City said.
Aside from the existing 132.5-megawatt (MW) Helios Solar Energy Corporation in Barangay Tinampaan, Escalante announced that two more RE companies are set to establish operations in Cadiz: Clean Current Renewable Energy Inc., an energy arm of SM Holdings Inc., and Aboitiz Renewables Inc.
“The presence of these industry giants affirms our city’s appeal to investors and reflects our readiness to embrace a greener, more sustainable economy,” Escalante said.
“This is a bold step toward securing a better future for the next generation of Cadizeños. Cadiz is no longer just a place on the map — it is becoming a hub of potential and progress”, he said.
Escalante thanked the people of Cadiz for entrusting him with another three-year mandate.
Escalante previously served as mayor of Cadiz from 2001 to 2010. He then served as a board member of the Second Congressional District from 2010 to 2019. In 2019, he successfully ran for mayor of Cadiz again, and his current term from 2025 to 2028 will be his final one.
“I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude for the trust you have once again bestowed upon me to serve as your mayor,” Escalante told the crowd.
“This is not merely a mandate to lead. Rather, this is a reaffirmation of our shared dreams, our collective aspirations, and our commitment to continue building a Cadiz that is strong, inclusive, and full of promise”, he saod.
Escalante also outlined his major accomplishments from 2019 to date, which have benefited thousands of his constituents. These initiatives included significant improvements in roads, bridges, public buildings, and housing, Escalante said.
Beyond infrastructure, Escalante said he considers his most important investment in the minds of Cadizeños: a lasting principle of “a culture of compassion and a mindset for excellence.”
“Public service isn’t about titles or ambition — it’s about small acts of kindness that make a big difference,” Escalante said.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson praised Escalante for making Cadiz “great beyond expectation” and acknowledged the trust the people of Cadiz have placed in his leadership.
“Your time, your energy, your voice, and your vision no longer belong to you alone. They now belong to Cadiz City and the Cadizeños,” Lacson said.
Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District) lauded Cadiz for its “astonishing economy” under Escalante’s leadership. The solon noted that Cadiz’s current status as a first-class component city is clear evidence of its financial and economic well-being.*