‘We can make Negros Occ. great through Agriculture’
BACOLOD CITY — United Negros Alliance (UNA) provincial chair and Sagay City Mayor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. yesterday said that he is sure that he can make Negros Occidental great again through agriculture.
Marañon is a pro-environment advocate where his passion lies on agriculture. He was instrumental in making the province as an organic bowl of Asia.
He said he will press on the creation of more industries in the province as means of diversification. This will augment to the mono-crop industry of the province which is sugar.
He said there are existing industries that can be expanded all through out the province such as the swine, aqua culture and dairy industries.
He said that the swine industry is the second biggest industry in the province. The population of sow in backyard growing has increased from 40,000 to 50,000 now.
The sow that has been drowned in Luzon due to typhoon reached 200,000. And this would mean a sure market for the province’s swine industry.
In Sagay City, they are currently constructing the most modern slaughterhouse in the whole country where it can cater to 120 heads per hour.
The equipment was bought in Holland and there will be experts in butchering who will come here for the technology transfer.
He also pushed for the dairy industry where Sagay City is producing fresh milk and some are being distributed to mal nourished children in the said city.
Lanao Del Norte is now No. 1 in the dairy industry in the country even if it is quite small compared to Negros Occidental in terms of land area.
Marañon also said that there is also a need to improve the aqua culture in the province. It is very sad to note that Tilapia was discovered here but not a single Tilapia is being exported, he said.
The Sea Food Market in Los Angeles sells Tilapia which came from Thailand and Vietnam. These countries only knew this industry from the country.
Maranon also pushed for the Universal Health Card to be distributed for free to indigent families in the province.
He said that this will require more or less P250 million to P300 million for its implementation.
Meanwhile, new UNA members in Victorias City and Silay City took their oath before UNA provincial chair Marañon.
For Silay City: Incumbent Mayor Jose “Oti” Montelibano, Vice Mayor Mark Golez and Councilors Jose “Pop-I” Locsin, Rosalinda Caja, Ramon Jison, Warlito Go, Mario Torres, Raymund Javellana, Edgar Maravilla, Ereneo Celiz, Rommel Pollentes and Clarisse Salmingo.
For Victorias City: Vice Mayor Francis Frederic Palanca and Councilors Teresita Sta. Ana-Bartolome, Audie Malaga, Rene Imperial, Mark Palanca, Andrew Garcia, Jerry Jover, Dexter Senido, Blandido Galinato, Vincent Roa and Daniel Tornea.
