Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, during the 124th anniversary of Al Cinco de Noviembre on Saturday, November 5, said it is his hope that the victories of the past will inspire Negrenses to find renewed meaning, resolve, and inspiration to unite and work together.
“At present, although we are not faced with the same predicament of revolting against conquistadores, our society is nonetheless beset with our struggles and fight against poverty, unemployment, lawlessness, substance abuse, climate change, and the global crisis caused by COVID-19,” Lacson said at rites held at the Capitol Lagoon Park in Bacolod City.
Al Cinco de Noviembre, also known as Negros Day, is celebrated annually to mark the Nov. 5, 1898 Negrense revolt that led to the surrender of the Spanish colonizers.
The Negros Occidental provincial government, and Bago, Silay and Talisay cities held separate activities to commemorate the historic day.
“The narrative of revolutionaries carrying fake arms (made out) of nipa stalks and canons of bamboo mats, of gaining victory with a bluff and securing freedom through a bloodless revolution never gets old. The patriotism, bravery, and courage of Gen. Juan Araneta, Gen. Aniceto Lacson and the thousands of Negrenses who fought for our freedom, are our distinction as a people,” said Lacson in his speech at the provincial government rites.
“More than 120 years after our victory and freedom was secured in the most ingenious and courageous manner, we remain proud and resolutely grateful of what the heroes of Cinco de Noviembre accomplished notwithstanding the impossibility of circumstances,” he added.
During the Cinco de Noviembre rites Lacson, Department of Agriculture representatives, and project beneficiaries signed the Implementation Management Agreement of the approved Philippine Rural Development Project Subprojects for Additional Financing totaling P87.2 million.
The project beneficiaries are the Celestino Villacin Vegetable Farmers Association of Cadiz City, Bajay-Patol Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Cauayan, Camindangan Planters and Farm Workers Association of Sipalay City, Federation of Multi-Sectoral Alliance for Development – Negros, Victor U. Lopez Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Pontevedra, 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀ociation 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗿𝗴𝘆. 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗮𝗻, 𝗟𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗮.
Lacson also led the distribution of P700,000 in insurance benefits to the beneficiaries of the provincial government’s Barangay Insurance Program for Tanods, Officials, Employees, and BHWs.
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez, in a statement, said “we acknowledge the courage and heroism of our Negrosanon ancestors who bravely fought against oppression and claimed the independence that we all share at present time.”
“May this festivity be a reminder of our origin, a community of fearless warriors and resilient leaders who never gave up on life’s challenges,” he added.*