By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday affirmed that he had already chosen a successor to outgoing provincial agriculturist, Atty. Japhet Masculino.

In a phone patch interview with members of the local media, Lacson refused to name the individual who will replace Masculino, although he commented that he is an outsider and had not previously worked in the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

Lacson said he has already told Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz to talk to the individual he had chosen after which the latter would make a recommendation to the governor.

“I’m not going to name him for now because we still do not know if the person will agree, that’s why he would be interviewed first by Diaz,” the governor said.

Lacson said once Masculino’s replacement will agree to the post, he would be assigned as officer-in-charge of OPA.

Earlier this month, Masculino forwarded a letter to Lacson stating he is retiring after 39 years of government service.

Masculino is set to retire from his post on June 30./DGB, WDJ