Will he accept?

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon yesterday challenged Vice Governor Genaro Alvarez Jr. to daily debates on any program implemented by the provincial government that he wishes to question during the political season.

Marañon was reacting to the statements of Alvarez that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is seeking an accounting of the cattle and sheep purchased by the provincial government, and that there will be no southern or northern Negros should he win the governorship.

Marañon is seeking reelection under the United Negros Alliance, while Alvarez is running for governor under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Alvarez, however, said there is no need for debates that could lead to their getting angry at each other and said the governor can issue his statements to the press and he will just answer them.

He was just asking for a report on the cattle and sheep purchase and does not know what is the problem with that, as it has nothing to do with politics, Alvarez said.

Marañon said the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Alvarez had approved the purchase of the cattle and sheep, and it is only now that questions are being raised as the political season heats up.

The cattle that were purchased from General Santos City and the sheep from Australia can all be accounted for, in fact they have increased in number, the governor added.

Provincial Veterinarian Renante Decena yesterday also said he has furnished the SP reports on the cattle and sheep twice already.

The provincial government had purchased 5,760 sheep from Australia, and 108 cattle and 156 sheep from General Santos in Mindanao, Decena said.

Marañon said Negros Occidental is now the sheep capital of the Philippines and showcased its lamb meat at the opening of the Negros Trade Fair in Manila Tuesday night.

The governor said that while 400 of the sheep were killed by wild dogs near the ranches where some of them are kept in Murcia and Sagay City, many have given birth, making up for the number of slain sheep.

The problem of the sheep being attacked, especially at night, has already been addressed by the caretakers who eliminated the wild dogs in their areas, the governor said.

On the statement of Alvarez that there will be no north and south in Negros Occidental if he is elected governor, Marañon said it appears that divisiveness is being insinuated against his administration for political purposes.

Under his administration, projects have been equally distributed throughout the province, he said, citing the fact that hospitals have been built both in northern and southern Negros.

As to questions raised on Return on Investments on the provincial government projects, Marañon asked how ROIs could be quantified for projects such as hospitals, roads and classrooms.

He said what is obvious is that these projects are needed to provide much needed services for the people.

Marañon also pointed out that under his administration more than 100,000 free range chickens, as well as swine have been distributed to improve the lives of the poor in the province.

If reelected, he said he will continue to implement his 11-point agenda that puts emphasis on food security, health education and poverty alleviation.

What are the programs and visions of the other side for Negros? he asked.

On questions about loans made by the provincial government, Marañon said even the richest nations get loans to implement projects that will benefit even future generations.

LINE-UP

Marañon said he is definitely running for governor in 2013. UNA already has its line up of candidates that he will reveal on October 6 after the filing of Certificates of Candidacy, which is set October 1 to 5, the governor added.

Asked when he would file his COC, the governor joked that the right feng shui date was still being determined.

The mayors of Negros Occidental who were not at the NPC affair of the Alvarez camp Saturday are his supporters, Marañon said.

He also said question marks remain as to how many of the mayors at the NPC affair Saturday will really support Alvarez.

The governor said he and Ambassador Eduardo Cojuangco remain friends even if the later has announced his support for Alvarez.

The battle between Alvarez and his camp in 2013 is real democracy in action, “Let us let the people choose,” he added.*CPG

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