Negros Occ hopeful of P-Noy's promises

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Top officials of Negros Occidental were optimistic of brighter years ahead based on the promises made by President Aquino in his SONA.

Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., in a press statement, said he took note of the president's assurance that the shortage of classrooms will be addressed because in Negros Occidental, there is still a need to answer this area. "We are thanking him and Education Secretary Armin Luistro for that," as well as the reported cut in the prices of textbooks, he said.

Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said Aquino's decision to expand the coverage of the conditional cash transfer (CCT) program is a "good idea." He however said the president's SONA was "too long," and there was "no mention on how he intends to generate more jobs."

Representative Alfredo Benitez (3rd District) said Aquino "clearly cited his achievements and reform agenda, but he needs to pursue these further. Transformation of our political culture to  daan matuwid  will take time to complete." Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (4th District) said: "The report of the president is very encouraging. It is good to know that he has concrete plans for education, health and social services, housing and modernization of PNP and AFP, strengthening food security and more on infrastructure programs."

E. B. Magalona town Mayor David Albert Lacson, president of the Association of Chief Executives of Negros Occidental, said the SONA was "delivered well," with more focus on his administration's accomplishments.

Bacolod City Rep. Evelio Leonardia said the SONA was "very comprehensive in its scope. It was optimistic and realistic. It gave us a good picture not only of what is macro but even the micro with a human touch." He was also proud of PO3 Felipe Moncatar of the Bacolod City Police, who was cited in Aquino's SONA as model for the whole Philippines.

City Mayor Monico Puentevella said the SONA was good in many ways but maybe too long. "A lot of substance is good," Puentevella said, adding that he hoped progress will go down to the masses with all the plans that the president outlined.

On agriculture, Marañon said, "The Negrense farmers are, indeed, grateful to the support that the national government, through the president and Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, had given them." The governor was optimistic that with Aquino's program, the country will achieve its 100 percent target of self-sufficiency in food.

On reforms in civil service, Marañon said: "The provincial government will cooperate with the president's call and campaign to transform civil servants. "We have waged a campaign for transparency ... and we put service to our constituents above anything else," he added.  (FREEMAN)