DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Sept. 12 (PIA) -- Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria unveiled his administration’s battle cry “Bangon Negros Oriental!” during his 1st State of the Province Address (SOPA), which reflected the provincial government’s goal of making the province a beacon of progress, compassion, and opportunity for its citizens.

Sagarbarria’s first SOPA was held on Sept. 8 at the Negros Oriental Convention Center, this city. 

It was attended by officials from national government agencies, district representatives of the 1st and 2nd Congressional districts,  mayors from different cities and municipalities, among others. 

The provincial government aims to make the province rise from the recent trials in leadership which hampered its movement towards development.

The local chief executive also paid tribute to his predecessors, the late governors Roel Degamo and Carlo Jorge Joan “Guido” Reyes, by offering a moment of silence and by honoring their aspirations for Negros Oriental.

“It’s our turn to pen a new chapter in our rise under our battle cry ‘Bangon, Negros Oriental.’ The neighboring provinces have seen their share of progress but we are not to be left behind. We are not merely chasing their shadow. We aim to surpass, to lead, to showcase,” Sagarbarria said.

“Our battle cry is not just a call to rise, it is a call to unify, to call to collaborate, to bring to the fore the collective might of Negros Oriental as we discuss our achievements, our goals, our aspirations. Let this not be a mere monologue. Let it be a pact. A promise that we will make to each other to rise, to strive, to shine,” he added.

The governor's speech also focused on his administration's over the past 100 days related to health, social welfare, and tourism.

Sagarbarria said the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH) passed the Level II accreditation of the Department of Health (DOH), and NOPH has started preparing for its third level accreditation.

He also announced that there is a plan to expand the hospital’s bed capacity to more than 300 beds to cater to more patients and provide premier health care to NegOrenses.

Sagarbarria shared that recently, he officiated the groundbreaking of NOPH’s Annex Building Phase 3 and the inauguration and blessing of the hospital’s Annex Building Phase 2, dialysis center, and additional equipment for the hospital.

Aside from this, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) opened the Special Action Group for Accelerated Response (SAGAR) Center on June 1 to expedite the release of the financial aid.  

The SAGAR Center has disbursed P7.7 million for medicines, P3.7 million for laboratory and clinical procedures, P8.5 million for hospital bills, P2.8 million for burial support, P1.1 million for educational aid, and P1.4 million for food and other emergencies.

The center has also reduced the processing and waiting time for these claims from two months to one to two weeks.

Sagarbarria added they are now looking for ways to expedite the process so that clients can claim the financial aid within the day of their application.

Aside from this, the provincial government also launched its Medical, Legal, and Social (MLS) Outreach Office, which spearheaded community outreach services in far-flung areas to bring essential government services closer to the people. 

As of Sept. 8, the MLS office has conducted seven Serbisyo Caravans serving 6,269 clients across the province.

The provincial government has also reorganized the Negros Oriental Tourism Board and elevated the Provincial Tourism Unit (PTU) to a full-fledged department to intensify its efforts in improving its tourism sector.

In addition to this, the provincial government pushed for the promotion of tourism destinations in the first district by crafting a program called “Viaje De Amor," which is focused on developing a tourism circuit in the northern part of Negros Oriental.

In terms of culture, arts, and heritage promotion, the provincial government launched its Tourism Roadshow which bannered performances from different artists groups in Negros Oriental.

The tourism roadshow staged its first cultural show in Dumaguete City and this will be broughtotp other towns and cities in the province.

The list of Sagarbarria’s accomplishments also covered the sectors of agriculture, employment, treasury, peace and order, education, and infrastructure.

Sagarbarria also showed a video presentation on the major infrastructure plans that the provincial government will embark within his term, such as the construction of a new government center at the Capitol Area, conversion of NOPH as a medical city, and the renovation of Freedom Park. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)