BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Former Negros Occidental Gov. Daniel “Bitay” Lacson Jr. died surrounded by family at his home here at 9:05 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6.
He was 77.
Lacson, who succumbed to a brain tumor, was governor of Negros Occidental from 1986 to 1992. He also served as chairman of the Philippine National Bank (PNB) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
“We just lost a true public servant of Negros. His life is worth emulating by younger generations,” Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said.
Former Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, who served as Lacson’s vice governor, said Lacson served the province and country with passion, always concerned about what could be done to make things better.
“He will always be remembered and honored for the service he gave so selflessly and passionately,” he said.
Lacson was a businessman and civic leader when he assumed the governorship of Negros Occidental right after the EDSA People Power Revolution that ousted President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. from power.
Then-President Corazon Aquino appointed a reluctant Lacson governor of Negros Occidental. He assumed the post on April 5, 1986.
When his first term ended on Dec. 4, 1987, he ran for a second term that ended on June 25, 1992.
He did not seek a third term as governor, opting to return to the private sector as president of Negros Navigation Co.
However, staying away from government service was short-lived.
Corazon Aquino’s successor, President Fidel Ramos, appointed him chairman of the Presidential Council for Countryside Development and the PNB, and later, President Benigno Aquino III named him chairman of the GSIS.
Lacson was a visionary who dreamt of making Negros Occidental a mini-Taiwan.
He drafted a 15-year master plan for Negros’ economic recovery from the Marcos martial law years and a sugar crisis that brought international attention to the province for its malnourished children.
Coscolluela said Lacson was responsible for bringing Negros Occidental back on track after the EDSA People Power Revolution as he engineered the recovery and rehabilitation programs under the battle cry “Hope Shines in Negros.”
Under Lacson’s watch as governor, he pushed for the diversification of Negros Occidental’s economy, which was dependent on the sugar industry. It was a monocrop economy.
He also pushed for the 60-30-10 land-use program that would allocate 60 percent of the land for sugarcane production, 30 percent to diversified products to ensure year-round jobs, and 10 percent for the sugar workers’ families’ food production.
The proposal, however, met resistance from some sugarcane planters, and in the end, the agrarian reform law was passed.
Lacson also pushed for the creation of the Negros Island Region during the term of Ramos.
Lacson was born on Dec. 23, 1946 to Daniel Lacson Sr. and Otilia Ledesma Lacson.
He was survived by his wife, Tima Sarabia Lacson, and their children — RJ, Patrick, Carla, Teepee, and Ria.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said they mourned the passing of the former governor.
“The province of Negros Occidental has lost a brilliant and well-loved leader. His committed and impassioned dedication to service will remain as an inspiration to everyone,” he said in a statement.