BY JUANCHO GALLARDE
Thursday, October 4, 2018

Negros Oriental political leaders formally announced in Dumaguete City Tuesday that they will field a united ticket under the One Vision, One Voice, One Visayas movement.

But Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), who acted as “peacemaker” among the members of the political parties, admitted that they expect conflicts to still persist among the mayors, vice mayors, and even board members.

Efforts are being exerted to put up a united slate for local leaders, Sangguniang Bayan and Sangguniang Panlalawigan members, although they have been encountering some difficulties, he said.

“But as long as the leadership in the province and the congressional districts are together, that is good enough. That is a major step in moving towards a united Negros Oriental and Visayan region,” Benitez said.

During the meeting, Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria (Neg. Or., 2nd District) said he will support Gov. Roel Degamo, Vice Governor Mark Macias, and the two other congressional representatives Arnolfo Teves Jr. (3rd District), and Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st District), but did not mention who he is supporting for mayor of Dumaguete City.

MEDIATION

Last week, Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo was instrumental in mediating between two protagonists – Degamo and Teves – that resulted in the birth of the coalition.

Degamo also announced that he would support Macias, Sagarbarria, Teves, Limkaichong, and Bayawan City Mayor Pryde Henry Teves in the May 2019 polls.

He said he fully understands the call of Benitez for a One Visayas development program to fast-track and propel development, not just in Negros Oriental but throughout the Visayas region and the country for that matter. This will not be realized if political bickering will continue, he said.

The governor said he was happy that Benitez raised the idea of a coalition and he has no reason to refuse unification for the sake of peace and development in the province.

WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT

Degamo said he believes this is also what the people of Negros Oriental would like to happen.

His possible contender for the position of governor, Bayawan City Mayor Teves, said, “I have to respect the leadership especially that I come from the Visayas bloc and also for the sake of unity, and I gladly accept and respect the status quo.”

Teves had one request to the coalition, which the governor also acceded to, and that is for the Bacong airport project to push through.

He added that he has been working for this since 2013 when he was congressional representative of the third district, and he want the project to become one of his legacies.

Degamo said he had not been officially informed about the airport project so it was not included in the provincial road map of developments.

After Teves' explanation, Degamo said there is no reason for him to oppose the project if only to decongest traffic in the province's center of trade and commerce.

The only request of the governor is for his office to be informed about the projects the congressmen are implementing so these can be included in the roadmap of the province.*