Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer (right) with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, August 3.*
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer personal adviser for Western Visayas without a salary.
Ferrer, who met with the president Wednesday, August 3, said he did not accept the position of presidential adviser with an equivalent rank of Cabinet secretary because it would mean his having to step down as vice governor.
He will not abandon his post as vice governor because he has an obligation to the close to 820,000 Negrenses who voted for him, Ferrer said.
Ferrer, who thanked the President for his trust and confidence said his being a Personal Adviser will give Negrenses a direct line to the president through him.
Ferrer said he raised the concern over the proliferation of illegal drugs in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, with the president during their meeting on Wednesday.
Ferrer said he also informed the president that the provincial government is prepared to donate property for a lung, kidney and liver center in Talisay City.
But the president said instead of constructing a new structure, they should look for an existing facility for the center so government funds can instead be used to purchase needed equipment, Ferrer added.
They also discussed the creation of the Negros Island Region through a law, which the president has committed to support, and concerns of the sugar industry, Ferrer said.
He also raised some mayors’ concerns with the president, Ferrer added.*