Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who outlined the achievements of his administration in the past year, stressed that the new normal, although caused by an adversity, ”is a golden opportunity to change, to be better.”
Lacson, in his State of the Province Address (SOPA) aired on the provincial government’s Facebook page Wednesday, August 25, said the difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic, is “an occasion to discover and show the world what we are capable of. Challenges have always been God’s possibilities.”
“We are facing crisis of a different magnitude than we had in the past, but we were able to prevail and so we will, again,” said Lacson, who delivered his SOPA before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during its regular session on Tuesday.
Today against the backdrop of a pandemic, Negrenses can ask for assistance and report any emergency anywhere in the province, he said.
Lacson said because of the Digitized Health and Emergency Management of Negros Occidental, a 24-hour 911 emergency line has been responding to an average of 2,500 calls a day.
The One Hospital Command, with nine provincial hospitals, has translated into an efficient emergency response, with the upgraded patient referral system and coordination with emergency responders and hospital management, he said.
He also cited the establishment of second molecular laboratory at the Valladolid District Hospital.
“With two molecular laboratories in the province, we are more equipped to curb the spread of COVID-19 through a faster-turnaround time in the detection of the COVID infection,” he said.
Knowing the plight of displaced overseas Filipino workers, the provincial government has also created a “Scholarship for the Children of Non-Returning OFWs” so that they can continue their college education, he added.
Also, to equip educators under the new normal, 100 Senior High School teachers from different Department of Education division in the province were trained on computer science, programming concepts, and CS fundamentals, he said.
AGRIULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
Despite the challenges brought by COVID-19, 14 irrigation projects to cover 883 more hectares were completed and are ready for turnover, Lacson said.
There were also 64 irrigation pumps provided to serve around 660.45 hectares of rice land, he added.
Different farm machineries and equipment were also distributed to 95 farmers’ associations worth P42,389,800, Lacson said.
Under the Universal Crop Insurance Program, 18,367.93 hectares with 15,483 farmers were insured last year, he also said. Farmers who received P38, 250,341 in indemnity claims reached 7,974 with 8,176.38 hectares covered, he said.
In rice production for 2020, a total of 132,143 hectares were planted with rice and 545,789 metric tons were harvested, which is higher than the 2019 production. For this year, the total area planted is 40,462 hectares, with a total production of 239,839.41 metric tons of rice, he said.
ORGANIC FARMING
Lacson said the provincial government has also established a Data Banking Application System for organic agriculture practitioners, and listed 2,805 organic farmer practitioners, and a total area of 2,806 hectares.
ASF-FREE
Negros Occidental also remains African swine fever (ASF) free that has enabled the protection of its P6 billion swine industry, he said.
The province is also the first in Western Visayas in terms of swine, carabao, goat and broiler and layer production, he added.
Hog shipment recorded 64,561 heads of which the bulk went to Luzon and nearby provinces, he said.
The Provincial Animal Genetic Improvement Program has also produced new bloodlines of cattle through artificial insemination using imported semen. The Negros First Ranch and Provincial Livestock Breeding Center and Dairy Farm is now producing its own wagyu, angus and geirolando cattle breeds known for having superior meat and dairying quality, Lacson added.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Lacson said P120 million was allocated for infrastructure projects in local government units, and P24 million for the rehabilitation of provincial roads, bridges and minor structures.
The provincial government has rehabilitated bridges to become permanent structures, particularly the bailey bridge in Moises Padilla and Balulan Bridge in Manapla amounting to P20 million. The additional trusses and roofing at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City amounting to P20 million is also nearing its completion,” he said.
“We have prioritized the construction of hospital facilities in our existing provincial government-run hospitals and isolation facilities to answer the demand for hospital services brought about by the pandemic,” he added.
PEOPLE’S HEALTH
The provincial government continues to provide free out-patient consultation, medical assistance, and other services in government hospitals through the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program (NOCHP), he said.
“We have upgraded our system so that more Negrenses in the marginalized sector can benefit from the program,” Lacson said.
Lacson said he is also happy to report that there is a declining number of COVID-19 active cases in the province.
There have been 292,317 Negrenses who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 as of August 8, he said.
The fully vaccinated individuals are 154,331, while those due for their second doses are 60,391 individuals, he said.
The total population with at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine is 214,722, which is 11.76 percent of the 70 percent target population, he said.
EDUCATION
The provincial government has 3,129 scholars handled by the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division, Lacson added.
Lacson also outlined the numerous awards received by the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center that has taken proactive approaches and innovative solutions to avoid disruptions in the delivery of its programs and services during the pandemic.
SPORTS
To safeguard the health of athletes and others involved, all provincial sports events have been cancelled, including basketball games, football tournaments, athletics, and road races, he said.
However, the provincial government has conducted sports orientation and clinics to LGUs, participated in by coaches, trainers and technical officials to disseminate information on how to train athletes, and the ground rules revision under the new normal, Lacson said.
The Provincial Sports Office has also organized free online sports mentoring programs in the new normal, he added.
He also cited the Abanse Negrense Team/Volleyball Association of Negros Island Inc. that bagged the championship in the 2021 Philippine Super Liga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup, a national tournament held at Subic, Zambales.
PROV’L ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE
The Provincial Administrator’s Office has released P271, 471, 992 worth of financial assistance to local government units, non-government organizations, national government agencies, and people’s organizations, as well as support to provincial quarantine centers and facilities, he said.
It has computerized the payroll system for contract of services and job order personnel. “Releasing the salaries through ATM is one of the ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
The Negros Occidental provincial government has continuously allotted an enormous amount to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the province. A total of P423,074,566 was allotted for the repair, renovation and construction of buildings, air-conditioning units, buses, ambulances, spare parts, office supplies, medical supplies and medical equipment from July 2020 to June 2021, he said.
LEGISLATIVE DIVISION
Lacson thanked Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and the provincial board members for their full and unconditional support to the executive agenda, plans, and programs.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan has enacted a total of 10 ordinances, 1,211 resolutions, and 18 appropriation ordinances since July of 2020, he said.*