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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Lady Negros Occidental solon elected deputy speaker

Lady Negros Occidental solon elected deputy speaker

Colleague from nearby Negros Oriental bewails lack of RSSI aid

Published Aug 5, 2026 09:59 pm
ALVAREZ (second from left) with House Speaker Faustino Dy. (FB)
ALVAREZ (second from left) with House Speaker Faustino Dy. (FB)
BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental sixth district Rep. Mercedes Alvarez reaffirmed her commitment to her duties after she was elected deputy speaker of the House of Representatives on Monday, Aug. 3.
"Ten years later, the title may be familiar, but the responsibility feels just as weighty," Alvarez said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Aug. 5, two days after taking her oath before House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III and 10 years after first assuming the position.
Alvarez said that it was an unexpected honor to be given a chance to once again serve as deputy speaker.
"Life has a funny way of bringing things full circle," Alvarez said as she thanked colleagues and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) for their confidence and support.
Alvarez, a supporter of local products especially from her legislative district, wore a dress during her oath-taking from fabric handwoven by the Negros Nine Weavers.
"I am carrying a piece of home, the place I love: The CHICKS area. I took oath with the commitment to honor my duty," she said.
CHICKS stands for the six local government units (LGUs) under her district – Candoni, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Cauayan, Kabankalan, and Sipalay.
Alvarez, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, replaced Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan.
Negros Occidental first district Rep. Julio Ledesma IV was appointed chairman of the House Committee on Economic Affairs during Monday's plenary session.
Meanwhile, Negros Oriental second district Rep. Maria Isabel Sagarbarria appealed for assistance from the national government to combat red-striped soft scale insect (RSSI) infestation in her province.
Sagarbarria said her province has not received an allocation from the national government similar to that for farmers and RSSI response operations in Negros Occidental.
"It all went to Negros Occidental. That's why I questioned why none for Negros Oriental?" she said.
She said there are many sugar planters in her district, including Bais City which declared state of calamity after 1,700 hectares were infested by RSSI.
As one Negros Island Region (NIR) and neighbor of Negros Occidental, she hopes that the same attention will also be given to Negros Oriental.

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Negros Occidental House deputy speaker Rep. Mercedes Alvarez
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