Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson speaks at the 124th Philippine Independence Day celebration held at the Capitol Park and Lagoon in Bacolod City, on Sunday morning, June 12.*Richard Malihan photo
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson reminded Negrenses that it is the duty of all generations to protect, preserve, and promote freedom and to collectively work for the common good, especially as the province recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lacson issued the reminder at the 124th Philippine Independence Day celebration held at the Capitol Park and Lagoon in Bacolod City, on Sunday morning, June 12.
The governor, who just returned from Guam where he was invited by the Office of the Philippine Consulate to be the guest of honor at their celebration of Independence Day, said he explored possible mutually beneficial partnerships between Guam and Negros Occidental “as we all seek to recover from the adverse health, social, and economic effects of the pandemic”.
They explored tourism and investment opportunities and possible sisterhood agreements, he said.
This year’s Independence Day theme “Kalayaan 2022: Pag-suong Sa Hamon ng Panibagong Bukas (Rise Towards the Challenge of a New Beginning” sets the tone on how we should conduct ourselves in this unprecedented times, he said.
“For the past two years, the enemy we fought was not just the kind that threatened our democracy, it was the kind that threatened our very existence,” Lacson said.
“As we work fervently to further curtail the spread of the virus and to cushion the blow to our people, we must bear in mind that although the pandemic was totally upsetting and unwelcome, it nonetheless presented an opportunity to re-evaluate and reconsider our methods, and in the process find alternative and effective means in the delivery of our duties, services, and programs, “he reminded his fellow public servants.
The provincial government Independence Day celebration was also attended by board members Rita Gatuslao, Ryan Gamboa, Manuel Frederick Ko, and Pal Guanzon, 303rd IB Commander – Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, Negros Occ. Police Provincial Office Acting Provincial Director – Col. Leo Pamittan, Capitol department and office heads and employees, national government agencies, and non-government organizations.
The Negros Occidental provincial government turned over P1.1 million in insurance benefits to the beneficiaries of the Barangay Insurance Program for Barangay Tanods and Barangay Officials and Employees, from various cities and towns of the province, during the Independence Day rites*.