Ten punong barangays from E. B. Magalona were among the 50 Negrense scholars of the Provincial Government who received their Certificates in Public Administration and Governance (CPAG) at rites at the University of Negros Occidental- Recoletos (UNO-R) on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.

The punong barangays from E. B. Magaloma with Vice Mayor Eric Matulac (6th from left)

They are Punong Barangays Rosalita Arsenal of Tabigue, Sharen Belen—Pasil, Lhea Beri— Tanza, Rio Jemella—Consing, Wilfredo Guilaran—San Jose, Ma. Fe Monarca—Damgo, Ramonito Espacio—Tuburan, Reynaldo Olano—Cudangdang, Meriam Porras—Canlusong, and Lhea Ruiz—Alicante.

Nine of the 10 punong barangays from E. B. Magalona who grafuated from their CPAG course, during their Baccalaureate Mass Tuesday

Three of them were on top of their class—Belen, Beri, and Jemella—being among the 10 Academic Proficiency awardees.

Arsenal is currently the president of the Liga ng mga Barangay of E. B. Magalona.

The CPAG graduates with Governor Bong Lacson and Vice Mayor Eric Matulac

Mayor Marvin Malacon was represented by Vice Mayor Eric Matulac at the completion program. In his message read by the vice mayor, the mayor said, “I applaud the Provincial Government headed by our beloved governor, Governor Bong Lacson, for this initiative and for your generosity of taking in our 50 punong barangays as provincial government scholars.”

The 50 CPAG graduates who are punong barangays from various LGUs

“Your completion program today translates to 50 more barangay captains in Negros Occidental who are more cognizant of the workings of the government, how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in a manner that is free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law. This also means that 50 more local leaders are now more knowledgeable and equipped with the right skill set in implementing government policies and programs,” Malacon said.

Vice Mayor Eric Matulac

Malacon added, “To all our 50 punong barangays, I am looking forward to the day that you can competently share the knowledge and skills you learned from this course to your colleagues - to your fellow punong barangays, kagawads, SK officials, and even to your barangay secretaries, barangay treasurers, and barangay tanods. Imagine what a ripple effect that the 50 of you would cause to the overall well-being of our Negrense governance.”

The 50 punong barangays, who come from various local government units (LGUs) in Negros Occidental, were selected as CPAG scholars by the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Division.

Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson and the UNO-R Recoletos de Bacolod Graduate School, in collaboration with the Office of Board Member Juvy Pepello, chair of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Barangay Affairs, had signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the CPAG scholarship.

The scholarship aims to improve the managerial and leadership skills of local leaders, and provide a deeper understanding of the theories and practices on public administration focusing on barangay governance.

Lacson said that given the vital role of the barangays in nation-building and in the achievement of collective goals as a province, it is necessary to empower and support the local officials.

Also present at the completion rites were Pepello, Mayor Laurence Marxlene Dela Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto, Mayor Joedith Gallego of Silay City, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran of Bacolod, and Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III of Victorias City. Joining them were NOSP head Karen Dinsay, UNO-R President Fr. Joel Alve, UR Vice President for Academic Research Fr. Romeo Ben Potencio Jr., and UNO-R Recoletos de Bacolod Graduate School Dean, Dr. Dennis Madrigal.*

E. B. MAGALONA PIO

PHOTOS FROM RICHARD MALIHAN/ CAPITOL PIO