Negros Occidental gov, 73, passes away

BACOLOD CITY – President Arroyo lost a valuable political ally following the demise of Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon who succumbed to complications arising from a kidney tumor Thursday night. He was 73.

Spokesman Jose Maria Valencia said Marañon died peacefully while asleep in his residence in Sta. Clara Subdivision here, six days before his 74th birthday on March 19.

He was survived by his wife, Aida, and children Sagay City councilor Gerard Joseph, Ma. Lourdes Yopangco, and Ma. Teresa Ledesma.

Valencia said Marañon’s health deteriorated after suffering from pneumonia at the height of the election campaign last year.

Marañon went on medical leave last Jan. 3 and had not reported for work since then.

Vice Gov. Isidro Zayco took his oath as the 35th governor of the province with provincial board member Emilio Yulo III as vice governor.

Zayco, for his part, said Marañon is a great loss to the province. 

The new governor also assured Negrenses that he would continue the programs initiated by his predecessor. 

Valencia said Marañon knew that the province would be in good hands.

Marañon began his political career when he was elected mayor of Sagay City in 1992. 

A top-ranking official of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in the province, Marañon’s “Back to the Basics” campaign won him the gubernatorial seat in 2001.

What started as a campaign slogan turned out to be the cornerstone of his administration, which put emphasis on food security, agricultural productivity, health, education, housing, infrastructure, environment conservation, investment, and tourism.

Often referred to as “Nonoy Joseph” by his constituents, Marañon earned the admiration of many Negrenses when he showed strong political will after successfully clearing prime government properties of informal settlers with minimal resistance.

It was also during his term when the Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City was opened to serve the health needs of Negrenses, without the need to go to nearby Bacolod.

He also strengthened the capabilities of district hospitals in the province.

Marañon’s efforts to rehabilitate the Mambucal Mountain Resort and turn it into a premier tourist destination earned him the distinction of being one of Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs of 2007 awarded by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship. 

Visibly ailing then, the governor personally received the award from President Arroyo.

His remains lie in state at the provincial capitol and will be transferred to Sagay City where he will be buried at the family mausoleum in Barangay Palanas.