NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said Monday, November 5, during the celebration of the 120th Negros Day at the Provincial Capitol, the problem on poverty continues and has worsened after 120 years.
The sad fact is that the rich Filipinos are getting richer while the poor becomes poorer, the governor said.
He added the 20 richest Filipinos have tripled their wealth in just a span of five years. ”There is this billionaire whose net worth was P228 billion in 2010 and in 2015, his net worth has tripled to P665 billion,” he added.
It’s sad to note that right now, there are still people who are poor that cannot even eat a complete meal of three times a day, the governor lamented.
"That's why, we, in the Provincial Government, are making our service reaches the poor families. For me, one way to solve the problem is good education that is why we are helping the poor people for their children to finish school to have a better job to help the family," Marañon said.
He said he is hoping the good projects of the province such as the Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program will be continued by the next administration in the province.
Centenarians, outstanding Negrenses
The Provincial Government honored 31 centenarians Monday morning at the Provincial Capitol grounds.
Each of the centenarian, or those who are 100 years old and above, received a P100, 000 cash incentive and a plaque of recognition.
This year, the oldest centenarian was 106-year-old Magdalena Lozada Java of Cadiz City.
Four centenarians were given posthumous awards.
Of the 31 awardees, five were from Sagay City; four from Talisay City; three each from Victorias City and Himamaylan City; two each from Cadiz City and Bago City; and one each from Silay City, La Carlota City, Pulupandan, Valladolid, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, La Castellana, Binalbagan, Ilog and Hinoba-an.
Also among the awardees was Virginia Taguiwalo, mother of former Social Welfare secretary Judy Taguiwalo.
In 2015, the Provincial Board passed the Negros First Centenarian Act, which gives a one-time cash incentive worth P100, 000, to centenarians who are residents of Negros Occidental for at least three years, while those living in Bacolod City are not qualified.
Meanwhile, four outstanding Negrenses and an organization were this year’s recipient of Pasidungog Award, the highest accolade given by the Provincial Government to Negrenses.
Recipient of the medal of excellence and token are Cherrie Atilano for sustainable agri-tourism, Jeanette Patindol for academe and literature; Roberto Montelibano for business and entrepreneurship; Olivia Yanson for humanitarian works; and Negros Occidental Historical Council Inc. for history and culture.
Marañon, in his speech, said: "We are honored and happy as we welcome together tonight for the recognition of our outstanding Negrosanons, who are considered as heroes of today.”
“Because of their exceptional success in various fields, it is just fitting that we recognize them so other people will emulate them,” he added.
“It is a firm commitment of the province to continually recognize people and organization who truly show genuine love through honorable service to the province," he also said.