Farewell Gov. Marañon

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Today the people of Negros Occidental bid goodbye to Governor Joseph Marañon, a man who took the stewardship of the province seriously, and raised the bar of public service through  his dedication, vision and hard work.

Marañon served Negros in a public capacity for 16 years, starting in 1992 when he was elected Mayor of Sagay, which by the time he left it in 2001 had been transformed into a city.

He was also elected governor by an overwhelming vote in 2001, and handily won the 2004 and 2007 elections for governor as well.  As governor, he focused on a Seven-Point Priority Agenda for Development, focusing on food security and agricultural productivity; improved health, education and social services; infrastructure development; environment protection; investment promotion and development; and tourism promotion and development.

Proof of the success of this comes from the numerous national awards that have been bestowed upon the province during his term.

The more visible achievements of Gov. Marañon came in the rehabilitation of Mambukal resort, which is now a multi-million peso earner for the province, and the building and upgrading of  hospitals to better serve the poor.

He also spearheaded the renovation and restoration of the Provincial Capitol Building as the seat of the provincial government, keeping the elegant Neo-Romanesque architecture while transforming the interiors into spacious and air-conditioned offices, where his policy of transparency was evident in the expansive glass walls.

Marañon also holds the distinction of being the governor who was able to successfully reclaim the government property at the back of the Capitol and relocate the over a thousand squatter families living there, displaying enormous political will by accomplishing something that could not be done by different administrations for over 50 years.

For his efforts and achievements, Negros Occidental will forever be grateful to Joseph Marañon.*