• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Atty. Rowena “Weng” Lopez Lizares, wife of Mayor Neil Lizares, is aiming to be make history in Talisay City in Negros Occidental, as the first woman mayor of the local government unit, if she is elected during the May 2025 polls.
“I was called to lead, not just by anyone, but the people of Talisay City,” Lizares declared.
In a press briefing, the incumbent Mayor Lizares explained that it was a “consensus endorsement” that catapulted his wife to be the mayoral candidate of Partido Kusog Talisaynon (PKT), in order to continue the Asenso platform of the local party.
Atty. Lizares vowed to continue the progress made by her husband for Talisay City.
Talisay doesn’t need a reset, it needs to sustain the remarkable progress it is already achieving, she stressed.
Let’s build the momentum and keep moving forward in 2025, she also said.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, a congressional aspirant for the Bacolod Lone District, and his son, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, also a congressional candidate for the 3rd district of Negros Occidental, were present at the kick off of their campaign opening salvo in Talisay City, supported the candidacy of Lizares, Vice Mayor Nicolai Jalandoni, and the PKT councilors.
Former Talisay City Vice Mayor Samuel Siote is also vying for the Talisay City mayoral post, under the Liberal Party.
The Lizares couple assured Talisaynons of constructive campaigning, amid fake news being propagated against them, even before the start of the campaign period.
Admitting that it is a challenge for them, Atty. Lizares said they will just counter it with “truths,” and by presenting their platforms of government to the people of Talisay City.
While it will be her first time joining politics, Atty. Lizares said it is not new to her, since Mayor Neil shared it all to her, what is happening to Talisay City, his dedication and passion to serve the people, and leading the city to greater heights.
Lizares’ platform focuses on inclusive development to ensure that every citizen, regardless of background, benefits from the city’s growth; strengthening social services by expanding healthcare, education, and social safety nets to ensure that no one is left behind; economic opportunities by supporting small businesses, attracting new investments and creating jobs that provide sustainable livelihoods; and transparent governance by ensuring the government operations are open, transparent, and accountable to people.
Her family also donated one hectare to serve as the site of a hospital for Talisay City.*
