By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

During yesterday’s turnover rites for the new set of members of the Negros Occidental Provincial Board, Negros Occidental governor-elect, outgoing Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, led the ceremony by noting the newly-renovated Capitol Hostel, which is operated by the Negros Occidental provincial government and expected to open next month, will be among the first items to be handled by the incoming board members.
“We want the facility to operate so it can hopefully make money,” he stated.
The provincial board currently has a pending ordinance intended to set rates for the lodging facility.
Earlier this month, outgoing Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Salvador Escalante, Jr. said his committee discussed the rates for the hostel, which is comprised of dormitory-type rooms; along with deluxe, ordinary, and suite rooms.
Following a public hearing, the approved rates came to P300 a day per person for dormitory rooms and between P2,100 to P3,700 for hotel rooms.
Lacson and Vice Governor-elect Jeffrey Ferrer later held a press conference, where they noted committee chairmanships are still being discussed.
Ferrer also denied claims of a “compromise” between him and the incoming governor with regard to committee chairmanships and affirmed decisions will be based on “who is suited for what committee.”
He insisted, “There is nothing final yet.”
The incoming vice governor also reiterated sentiment by Negros Occidental Provincial Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko, who called the incoming provincial officials a “team.”
“We will have teamwork in good governance, programs, and projects despite having different mandates of our offices,” Ferrer noted. “I pledged my support to the governor and that is the reason why we had a merger.”
Since the vice governor presides over the provincial board, Lacson formally turned over the gavel to Ferrer during the session./DGB, WDJ