By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo said the recent visit by President Rodrigo Duterte to the province, where he awarded posthumous awards for the slain police officers of the recent ambush by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Guihulngan City, was a boost to morale for law enforcement.
The governor expressed his appreciation for the gesture by the president, along with extending assistance to the three wounded police officers currently in recovery.
Following the visit, Degamo, Duterte, Philippine Army and Philippine National Police (PNP) officials, along with other provincial officials, conducted a closed-door meeting, where they discussed security measures throughout the Negros Island Region (NIR).
The governor also expressed optimism the president would return to the province to observe the celebration of the Buglasan Festival in October.
During his visit earlier this week, Duterte provided the families of the slain officers P270,000 each in financial assistance, along with P250,000 for the widows of the police officers, enrollment in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), food allowances, and an education fund./WDJ