• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros ACE (Association of Chief Executives) will be reaching out to mayors in Negros Oriental and Siquijor, to open up communications and share best practices as a new island region, its newly-elected president, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. disclosed on Friday.
Escalante, who ran unopposed for the presidency of Negros ACE during its general assembly and election of new set of officers, said that mayors in Negros Occidental enjoy the camaraderie and friendship, travel, and eat together.
“We solve problems together, which helps lessen the burden of a mayor,” Escalante said.
Everybody contributes to come up with a solution to a problem facing our province. This is what we want to replicate in the Oriental side and Siquijor, he further said.
In the past, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez and former Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante held initial talks with mayors of Negros Oriental on the establishment of a Negros (Island) ACE.
However, it did not materialize because of the elections, said Escalante, who is also the secretary general of United Negros Alliance (UnegA).
He reported that the Kabankalan City Environment and Natural Resources Office is currently in Cadiz City to study its environmental related activities. “We want to replicate it all over the province, and many others, which we may share with other LGUs,” Escalante said.
“We will come up with a blueprint, as we continue to exist,” the Cadiz City mayor said.
During the Negros ACE general assembly which was held in Talisay City, attended by 25 of the 32 mayors of Negros Occidental, Victorias City Mayor Abelardo Bantug III was elected as Chairman of the Board, Pontevedra Mayor Jose Maria Alonso as the secretary general, San Enrique Mayor Jilson Tubillara as the treasurer, Candoni Mayor Rey Ruiz as auditor, and Himamaylan City Mayor Rogelio Raymund Tongson as the PIO.
The Negros ACE board of directors is composed of Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco, representing the 1st district, Manapla Mayor Mikaela Escalante – 2nd district, Victorias City Mayor Abelardo Bantug III – 3rd district, Bago City Mayor Marina Javellana-Yao – 4th district, Isabela Mayor Miguel Angelo Yulo – 5th district, and Hinobaan Mayor Daph Reliquias for the 6th district of Negros Occidental.
Escalante succeeded former Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, who is now the congressman of the 3rd district of Negros Occidental.
In a statement, Benitez said Mayor Escalante, who served as Negros ACE secretary general when he was the president, will bring strong leadership and a deep commitment to inter-LGU collaboration.
He added that Victorias City Mayor JunB Bantug also expressed full support for Mayor Escalante’s vision, and is ready to help continue the pending plans and strengthen unity among mayors.
Benitez added that Mayor Escalante also reaffirmed his openness to the long-standing vision of forming a regional political party, an idea first raised by his father, former Bacolod City mayor – turned Representative Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, which he continues to support.*
