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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Lacson, Sotto visit Bacolod, Negros to check COVID-19 response

Lacson, Sotto visit Bacolod, Negros to check COVID-19 response

Published Sep 17, 2021 10:37 am

BACOLOD CITY – A few days after announcing their bid for the 2022 elections, Senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III started their first tour in the Visayas, as they visited Bacolod and Negros Occidental on Thursday, September 17.

The two senators will meet local officials in a consultative meeting to discuss how the city and the province are faring in the pandemic, particularly in the vaccination rollout.

Lacson and Senate President Sotto, accompanied by former Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) President and General Manager Jesus Clint Aranas and former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez met some members of the media at The Ruins in Talisay City, after they came from Iloilo City.

Senator Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III, along with former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez (right) in a press briefing at The Ruins in Talisay City, Negros Occidental, during their visit in the province Thursday. (Glazyl Masculino/Manila Bulletin)

As of Sept. 12, Bacolod has inoculated a total of 182,537 individuals, based on the record of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Of the number, 113, 286 were fully vaccinated.

In fact, the city is intensifying its vaccination drive after the recent surge in COVID-19 cases here.

Just like Bacolod, the province has also reached its full capacity in hospitals for COVID-19 patients.

Lacson said the national government has procured 187 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines that will arrive in the country soon.

Sotto, in a press briefing, said they wanted to know how the budget of the government is affecting the province.

"We want to touch base in Bacolod, we would want to feel the pulse of the people," he added.

Meanwhile, both senators are optimistic to get the support of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson in their bid for president and vice president, respectively, though Sotto, who is the chair of the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), has not yet talked to Governor Lacson, who is his partymate.

The two senators are hoping for the endorsement of the top official of the province.

They also revealed that there is an ongoing talk between the leaders of the NPC, Partido Reporma chaired by Senator Lacson, and the National Unity Party for a possible alliance, but they did not elaborate further.

On the possible endorsement of local candidates here for the 2022 polls, the two senators did not comment further.

Sotto said that Bacolod is a battle ground for local officials.

Former third district rep. Alfredo Benitez has challenged incumbent Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia for the mayoralty position in the elections next year.

For his part, Senator Lacson said that “sometimes it is best not to interfere in the competition in the local especially if both are allies.”

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