Saturday, March 15, 2008 Guv passes away By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
THE entire Province of Negros Occidental mourns the demise of Governor Joseph Marañon.
Marañon, who suffered from cirrhosis of the liver for years, has expired with family members and political allies beside him at their home in Sta. Clara Subdivision, Bacolod City at around 7 p.m., Thursday.
About to celebrate his 74th birthday on March 19, which is supposed to be the highlight of Sagay City's Sinigayan Festival.
Marañon was known to be the Father of Sagay's Cityhood and Sinigayan Festival.
He was likened also to the late governor Alfredo Montelibano, Jr. who also died two months ago also due to cancer.
Marañon, also former mayor of Sagay City for nine years (1992-2001), started leading the province in 2001.
Among his legacies in Negros include the Teresita Jalandoni Memorial Hospital in Silay City, Negros Occidental School of Nursing in Cadiz City, rehabilitation of Mambukal Resort in Murcia, rehabilitation of the Old Capitol Building, rehabilitation and expansion of Kabankalan District Hospital.
For almost eight years as governor, Marañon initiated the construction of several school buildings in the different towns and cities, especially those in far-flung barangays.
With his political battle cry: "Beyond the Basics," Marañon was also instrumental in the implementation of numerous programs and projects in the province that benefited Negrenses.
He was cited by national and foreign groups for his environmental program, and received numerous awards for his health program.
Quintessential Politician
Thus, even his predecessor, former governor and now Sugar Regulatory Administration head Rafael "Lito" Coscolluela has said, "Marañon or '319' was the quintessential politician of the old school.
He is kind, a great friend but a formidable foe, seasoned but sensitive and generous, said Cosccolluela, adding, "My sincere condolences to his bereaved family."
"It was a shocking development for us Negrenses to know that our beloved governor has died. And I was saddened by the report because Negros has lost one of the best governors," Representative Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, Jr. (5th District, Negros Occidental) said.
Arroyo asked Negrenses to join hands and pray for the repose soul of the governor. He also expressed personal condolences to the bereaved Marañon family.
"I hope that his successor, Vice Governor Isidro Zayco, can match his shoes," he also said.
Great Pillar
Governor Marañon was one great pillar of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, said NCR-LTO director Ricardo "Cano" Tan, Marañon's closest friend even before they joined politics.
"His demise is not only a great loss to his family but also to the whole province. We mourn his death as his friends and political allies," Tan added.
Man with the golden heart
"Words are not enough to describe the goodness of the governor. He is really a 'Man with the Golden Heart'," said Lieutenant General Victor Ibrado, commanding general of the Army's Central Command.
Ibrado, a native of Sagay City, said, " I personally know Governor Marañon. He is a very kind person. A down-to-earth politician and performer."
"Governor Marañon is a true friend, a real friend," shared General Geary Barias, chief of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).
Barias said he can't forget the "best things" he learned from the governor when he was still the provincial police director of Negros Occidental and Marañon was then mayor of Sagay City.
He said he had a good working relationship with the governor when he led the Police Regional Office 6 two years ago.
Willing to help anyone
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) Director Rosendo Franco said, the "Governor's death hurts the province. He was one public servant who is always willing to help anyone."
Franco was also the chief of police of Sagay City when Marañon was mayor there. "My whole family is very saddened by the death of Maninoy Joseph. But we're also happy that he ended his agony from cancer," said Bacolod City Vice Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson.
Role model
The governor is my role model as a public servant. I am what I am now because of him, said Provincial Board Member Patrick Gerald Lacson (3rd District, Negros Occidental)
"Kalip-ot lang sang amon updanay nag-amo pa sini," lamented Jedmari Bicaro, currently president of the Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation in Hiligaynon. (With reports from Karl O. Ombion and Gil Alfredo B. Severino)
