• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Three governors of the Negros Island Region (NIR) and other Visayas officials reaffirmed their support to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. by signing a manifesto supporting his vision for national progress.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel Sagarbarria, and Siquijor Gov. Jake Vincent Villa, leaders of the three provinces composing the NIR, were among the signatories of the manifesto during an event organized by the “One Visayas Bloc” led by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, on Thursday in Cebu.
“We, the duly elected governors of the Visayas region, representing our respective provinces and the millions of Filipinos who call the Visayas home, stand united in our unwavering support for the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.,” the manifesto read.
The so-called “unity lunch” gathered governors from the Visayas region, as well as mayors, vice mayors, councilors, provincial board members, and representatives from the Provincial Association of Barangay Councils in Cebu.
Separate manifestos of support were issued by leaders from the Visayas region to acknowledge Marcos’ commitment and achievements in nation-building.
Political differences could not be avoided, but strong collaboration among government officials is key to attaining the development agenda, President Marcos Jr. said Thursday.
Speaking before the Visayas governors and “One Cebu” officials at the Cebu Provincial Capitol in Cebu City, Marcos Jr. advised his fellow government officials not to be distracted by issues “that would only deter our work and affect the people who are counting on us.”
“It cannot be discounted that disagreements and contradicting views are inevitable, but let us be reminded that our shared commitment is to the greater good and that must be our unifying force,” he added.
Despite the prevailing political differences, Marcos said he never regrets being elected president, stressing that assuming the highest position in the country “is the greatest honor and privilege that any human being can ever be granted by his own people.”
Marcos said public service becomes fulfilling if “like-minded” public servants are committed to building a “more reliable, a more efficient, a more compassionate government.”* with PNA reports