BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Provincial Vice-Governor Jeffrey Ferrer had expressed displeasure over the “lack of harmony” between Capitol and City Hall on existing quarantine conditions as he refused to comment on rumors that he will be transferring his voter’s registration to the city.
Ferrer, a congressman of the Fourth District for nine years before becoming vice-guv, is currently a voter of La Carlota, a city of sugar mills in central Negros.
This move, some political observers speculated to DNX, is in preparation for a shot at a top elective position in this highly-urbanized city in the coming 2022 May polls.
Ferrer told DNX the city is supposed to be the political and economic center of the province but is now being run like a “separate kingdom.”
He pointed out that while the city and the province went under a General Community Quarantine, the executive orders being issued by Mayor Evelio Leonardia does not jive with that of the province.
A comparison of Executive Order No. 35 by Leonardia and Executive Order No. 20-24 by Governor Eugenio Lacson show that, among others, the policies on border closure differs.
While Lacson’s first wanted the borders shut, Leonardia’s favored the opening by allowing the docking of inter-island ferries.
Leonardia, however, wrote the Maritime Industry Authority seeking the extension of ports closure.
The orders also differ in terms of the definition of mass gatherings.
While that of the city prohibits religious gatherings, that of the province, while “not encouraged” allows it with the condition that those who attend practice distancing and wear masks, and attendees must not go beyond 10 people.
“We are one province with the city of Bacolod as part of it and we don’t want that these two be run like separate kingdoms,” Ferrer added.
As to reports that he wants to register as a voter in the city, Ferrer said he does not want to talk about it as of now.
“I am still serving the province and I still have a term to finish,” he said.
For the interview by DNX Executive Editor Julius D. Mariveles follow link below.
