By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

While Eugenio Jose Lacson is being inaugurated as the next governor of Negros Occidental today, a thousand people are expected to gather at the Capitol Park and Lagoon to host a “silent rally” opposing coal.
According to organizer Junjun Mojica, they have called on several groups to join, along with members of local dioceses, to join the demonstration protesting the proposed coal-fired power plant in San Carlos City.
While Lacson has recently revealed he does not approve of the proposed power plant, pointing out, neither the Office of the Governor nor Office of the Vice Governor has the authority to issue such a building permit, last February, as a gubernatorial candidate, Lacson said a majority of San Carlos City residents are supportive of the project, noting, “If they want it then I would support it.”
Meanwhile, Vice Governor-elect Jeffrey Ferrer, along with members of the Negros Occidental Provincial Board, will also be inaugurated during the same ceremony.
Lacson issued a preemptive apology in the event colleagues were bothered by the spectacle.
“I know this silent protest is directed at me but we are not here to stop them,” he affirmed. “My apologies to my colleagues.”
“On Saturday, rest assured, we will try to keep [the inauguration] as pleasant and peaceful as possible,” the outgoing vice governor added./DGB, WDJ