By CESAR JOLITO III
Save The Philippines Coalition in the Negros Island Region has raised concerns over leadership, accountability and the delivery of public services and development projects in Negros Occidental’s 1st district.
In its letter dated June 5, Save The Philippines urged 1st District Representative Julio “Jules” Ledesma IV to address what the group described as longstanding issues affecting residents of Calatrava, Escalante City, Don Salvador Benedicto, and Toboso.
The coalition said public service should be measured by “tangible, lasting improvements” in the lives of ordinary citizens rather than by rhetoric or promises, questioning what significant changes have been achieved during Ledesma’s years in office.
Among the concerns raised were access to healthcare and higher education, with the group noting that many residents still travel to Bacolod City for medical services, while students often need to leave the district for Bacolod, Cebu or Dumaguete to pursue college degrees due to limited local educational opportunities.
The coalition also questioned the impact of renewable energy investments frequently highlighted in the district, asking how many local residents have secured stable and regular employment through solar farm projects.
Save The Philippines further pointed to persistent poverty in agricultural communities despite the area’s vast rice lands and natural resources.
Security and peace and order were likewise cited in the letter, with the group asking why parts of the 1st District continue to experience insurgency-related incidents despite years of government representation and repeated security operations.
In addition, the coalition raised concerns over alleged unfinished or underutilized infrastructure projects, including the previously publicized San Carlos City airport proposal, and questioned why the initiative failed to secure sufficient funding to move forward.
The open letter also referenced criticisms previously made by Ledesma against Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and other senators over their temporary absence from legislative sessions, noting that some sectors have likewise questioned the congressman’s own attendance record and visibility in the House of Representatives.
Concluding the letter, the coalition emphasized that leadership should be judged by concrete accomplishments and public trust, stating that genuine leaders “deliver results, inspire trust and make things happen.”/CCJ, WDJ