Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson challenged the Negros Occidental provincial government employees today, January 4, to try to outdo the good they have done in the past, in 2021.
Lacson, who delivered his new year’s message at the Social Hall of the Capitol in Bacolod City in the presence of Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said the things they did well should move them to do better.
He said they should try to release grants to partner Non-Government Organizations as soon as they can so that the causes they support will be able to progress.
They should also seek to pay the obligations of the provincial government in good time, including the salaries of new hires, he said.
Lacson also urged all departments to promptly implement their project plans and activities (PPAs). As much as possible, 75 percent of all PPAs must be implemented by the end of the 3rd quarter, he said.
“Let us endeavor to deliver the needs of our constituents expeditiously, the lesser time our constituents wait, the more efficient we are, in actuality, and in their view. We have a good trust value among our people. Let us sustain and try to heighten such trust and confidence of the Negrenses to the provincial government,” he said.
“As your governor, I am proud that we did not allow the (COVID-19) pandemic and its uncertainties, delay and hinder the delivery of our duties, services and programs as dictated by law and by our development agenda” in 2020, he said.
He said through their collective efforts they also did well in maintaining health protocols, and in keeping their workforce and the majority of Negrenses healthy during the pandemic.
Lacson reminded the provincial government employees to protect themselves against the COVID-19 virus at all times.
“Protecting ourselves means protecting others, too. If you feel unwell, you should not report for work and seek the advice of your office head,” he said.
The provincial government has also completed the transfer of all its department offices to the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center, and the mezzanine and 4th floors of the Philippine National Bank building at Lacson Street in Bacolod City, Lacson said.
“All departments are now connected via fiber optic backbone, improving the speed and quality of communication and processing of transactions,” the governor said, as he congratulated the provincial government employees for a job well done.
Lacson also thanked the SP under the leadership of Ferrer for the solid support “to the plans and programs of our administration, and for the timely approval of our 2021 budget.”
He pointed out that the SP members waived part of the funding for their priority programs to purchase rice, for distribution to local government units during the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
The governor also thanked the health workers, hospital personnel, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office workers and all frontliners for their courage, self-sacrifice and devotion in the fight against COVID-19.
“With the indomitable Negrense spirit and our faith in God, we shall overcome this together,” he said.*