By MAE SINGUAY

In his third and final term, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. made another solemn vow as he committed anew to making his city a hub of limitless opportunities.

Escalante announced this during his inauguration and oath-taking rites together with the local officials at Cadiz Arena.

He highlighted Cadiz’s growing status as the Renewable Energy (RE) Capital of Negros Occidental.

Aside from the current 132.5-megawatt (MW) Helios Solar Energy Corporation in Barangay Tinampa-an, two more RE companies are soon to nest in Cadiz, he said.

These include Clean Current Renewable Energy Inc., an energy arm of SM Holdings Inc., and Aboitiz Renewables, Inc.

“The presence of these industry giants affirms our city’s appeal to investors and reflects our readiness to embrace a greener, more sustainable economy,” Escalante said.

“This is a bold step toward securing a better future for the next generation of Cadizeños. Cadiz is no longer just a place on the map — it is becoming a hub of potential and progress,” he added.

As he reflected on the city’s journey over the years under his leadership, Escalante expressed gratitude to all Cadizeños who, once again, gave him the mandate to lead their city for another three years.

Escalante became mayor of Cadiz from 2001 to 2019.

Then, he moved up to the provincial level as a board member of the Second Congressional District from 2010 to 2019.

In 2019, he ran again as mayor of Cadiz, and from 2025 to 2028, he will be concluding his final term.

“I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude for the trust you have once again bestowed upon me to serve as your mayor,” Escalante said.

“This is not merely a mandate to lead. Rather, this is a reaffirmation of our shared dreams, our collective aspirations, and our commitment to continue building a Cadiz that is strong, inclusive and full of promise,” he added./MS, WDJ