BACOLOD CITY—Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has sponsored a resolution to honor the late Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.
“He was a visionary who changed Negros,” said Zubiri, whose family has roots in Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.
“His agricultural and environmental initiatives for the province were groundbreaking,” Zubiri said.
Marañon Jr., 84, died at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City last Oct. 1.
Marañon began his career in government service as a councilor of Sagay in 1964 and was later elected vice mayor and mayor of the city.
He also served as assemblyman of Negros Occidental and congressman of the second district of the province.
“As a young environmentalist, I really looked up to him,” Zubiri said. “I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with him in our time as congressmen in the eleventh Congress,” he said.
Marañon and Zubiri were representatives in the 11th Congress with Maranon representing Negros Occidental’s second district and Zubiri, Bukidnon province’s third district.
“And of course he was a brilliant governor, and he was really able to unite Negros, which was key to the development of the province,” said Zubiri.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, Joel Villanueva, Risa Hontiveros, Imee Marcos, Ramon Bong Revilla, Kiko Pangilinan, Richard Gordon, and Grace Poe also shared fond memories of and admiration for the late governor as they expressed support for the resolution.
All senators were made co-authors of the resolution.