Bascon: Political unity will end poverty

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Mayors across Negros Occidental recently expressed support for the “unity ticket” formed after local political coalitions, the United Negros Alliance (UNEgA), led by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., and Love Negros, led by Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez, announced their merger.

Himamaylan City Mayor Agustin Ernesto Bascon, Pontevedra Mayor Jose Benito Alonso, and Cauayan Mayor John Rhey Tabujara all expressed their endorsement of the plan, with Bascon claiming the political shift will improve the lives of local residents, including an end to poverty.

“If we are one, our province [will] move forward and uplift the lives of all Negrosanons,” the Himamaylan City mayor asserted. “Unity is the answer to progress and poverty alleviation.”

According to Alonso, the merger was overdue.

“There is nothing to quarrel over here in Negros,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Benitez confirmed Love Negros met last Sunday, noting, another meeting will be held next week, which will be followed by an announcement on the formal merger and the 2019 midterm elections.

Last week, Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Salvador Escalante, Jr., who serves as secretary-general for UNegA, confirmed incumbent Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson will run for governor with 2016 vice gubernatorial candidate and former Negros Occidental fifth district Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer as his running mate./DGB, WDJ