‘Montelibano's death
marks end of an era'
NEGROS, BACOLOD
OFFICIALS HONOR HIM
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Flags throughout Negros Occidental and Bacolod City yesterday flew at half-mast in honor of former Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Montelibano Jr. who passed away Wednesday night.

Gov. Joseph Marañon issued Executive Order No. 1, Series of 2008 directing all public offices, building and schools throughout Negros Occidental to fly their flags at half-mast “in memory of the true statesmanship and noble leadership” of Montelibano, beginning yesterday until he is laid to rest.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia also issued a similar order for Bacolod City .

My husband was my
rock, Jhay says
BY CARLA GOMEZ

“I didn't expect him to go so soon, I wanted him to stay for his birthday,” the widow of former Negros Occidental Governor and Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Montelibano Jr. said yesterday.

Miriam Jhay Montelibano said the doctors in Manila had told them to be prepared as the former governor had become very weak.

But Montelibano, who was suffering from gastric esophageal cancer and had been undergoing treatment, wanted to come home, “He loves Negros, he never wanted to be in Manila ,” his wife said.

More than 100
hired at new airport
BY NIDA BUENAFE

Newly hired security personnel of the Air Transportation Office are now reporting to the New Bacolod-Silay Airport in preparation for its opening on the third week of this month, ATO Bacolod manager Antonio Alfonso said yesterday.

He said more than 100 job order workers were recruited by ATO for security and janitorial services at the new airport and most of them are now in Silay.

Technical requirements, such as the publication of the new aeronautical information that will inform the world about the new airport in Negros Occidental, have already been started, Alfonso said, adding that everything is ready for the commercial operation of the facility.