Negros Oriental, a province often celebrated for having some of the best diving spots in the Philippines and being an ideal haven for expats to live and retire, is currently under the leadership of its youngest governor to date, Manuel "Chaco" Sagarbarria.
At the age of 37, Sagarbarria assumed leadership of the province during a challenging period, becoming the fourth governor in just two years due to a series of unfortunate events.
The nation was shocked when Governor Roel Degamo was assassinated in March 2023. After a controversial victory over Pryde Henry Teves, Degamo had only returned to office in October 2022. Teves was initially declared the winner by Comelec in the May 9 national elections after receiving the most votes. However, a ruling on an election protest involving a lesser-known candidate, "Ruel Degamo," shifted those votes to Roel Degamo, making him the ultimate winner.
Degamo's term as governor lasted only about five months before his untimely death. He was succeeded by Vice-Governor Carlo Jorge Reyes, his running mate in the 2022 elections, who, despite battling a terminal illness, served as governor until his death in May 2023.
Following these events, Sagarbarria assumed the role of governor. He was elected board member in 2022 and then served as vice governor before becoming governor through the rule of succession.
While Sagarbarria may have faced a series of unfortunate events on his journey to his current position, his dedication to public service remains unwavering.
In an interview with members of the national press, including The Sunday Times Magazine, Sagarbarria expressed his only wish: "to continue being the governor of Negros Oriental." The interview was held on the sidelines of the province's capitol building's centennial celebration, which coincided with Sagarbarria's birthday.
‘OPM’s Pop Chanteuse’ Kuh Ledesma
Although he expressed his wish with a tinge of humor, the mayor's intentions were clear—to lead Negros Oriental to progress.
His dedication to this mission was instilled by his father and mentor, Negros Oriental Second District Representative Manuel "Chiquiting" Sagarbarria, who taught him the value of serving and being loyal to the people of their province from a young age.
"I didn't expect to serve the public. When I first ran for SK, I filed [my candidacy] on the last day, at the last hour. My father, a councilor at the time, pushed me to try it. He said, 'Give it a shot,' so I thought, 'Alright, I'll try it.'
The governor hosts dinner reception for the dignitaries, national and local government officials, and other guests during the centennial commemoration on May 17. A number of senators and Negros Oriental local government officials, employees and capitol personnel witnessed National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ installation of the centennial historical marker. The Silliman University Campus Choristers Apo Island – a popular diving spot in Negros Oriental
"He mentioned an honorarium of P5,000, which was when I was in high school. That's when I started enjoying public service," the young Sagarbarria shared.
"Some people see it and immediately love it, but for me, watching my dad so busy with politics made me initially think I didn't want that life because it kept him away from the family and always occupied. But once I got involved, I realized he did it because it was fulfilling.
"That's when my interest grew, step by step — from SK, Kagawad, Barangay Captain, Councilor, Board Member, Vice Governor, and finally, Governor. Step by step, all the way," he added.
A proud NegOrense through and through, Sagarbarria's surname is entrenched in the province's rich history. His family owns the renowned Sans Rival Cakes & Pastries brand, founded in 1977. Beyond their signature sans rival, they are also famous for their Silvanas.
Balinsasayao Lake Sibulan Kanlaon rice terraces Apo Island – a popular diving spot in Negros Oriental Ayungon by the docks
Dumaguete's sweet legacy
Proud of his family's sweet legacy, Sagarbarria enthused. "[The business] actually started with my grandmother. I am already the second generation involved with the Sans Rival corporation. My sister runs the business now while I'm in politics."
The company began in a 20-square-meter space with just two tables and eight chairs.
"My grandmother started it that way, with everything home-cooked. The recipe for the original sans rival from decades ago is exactly the same recipe we use now, so everything tastes and feels homemade with her original recipes.
"Silvanas, on the other hand, are our core product, which has become popular all over the Philippines and even globally. We have cousins in California who are now manufacturing them there.
"So the business grew from a very small store to what it is now — a major corporation in Negros Oriental. All our Silvanas are produced here. We don't have other factories because we are very secretive about our recipe," he noted.
Centenary, cultural celebration
Sagarbarria's first year as governor coincides with an important milestone for the province as Negros Oriental celebrates the 100th year of its Capitol Building. The building was originally constructed in 1922, but it had to be rebuilt in 1924 after a major fire.
To mark the occasion, Sagarbarria organized a grand event in the province with the help of the Centennial Committee led by Negros Oriental Tourism Board Executive Director Woodrow "RR" Maquiling Jr.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) installed a historical marker to commemorate the centennial anniversary at the Capitol Grounds on Kagawasan Avenue, Dumaguete City on May 17.
Together with Sagarbarria, NHCP Executive Director Carminda Arevalo and Negros Oriental Provincial Administrator Arthur Fran Tolcidas signed the certificate of transfer of the historical marker.
The installation of the NHCP's historical marker was also witnessed by Senators Imee Marcos, Risa Hontiveros, Lito Lapid, Francis Tolentino, Jinggoy Estrada, and Mark Villar, along with Irish Ambassador to the Philippines William Carlos and neighboring government officials.
The event featured a fly-by airshow with a confetti drop by Royhle Aviation Academy Inc., and a performance by "OPM's Pop Chanteuse" Kuh Ledesma, who sang her hit songs including "Dito ba?" and "Ako ay Pilipino," among others.
Negros Oriental performers, namely the Siliman University Dance Troupe, the Silliman University Campus Choristers, the Silliman University Campus Band, and the Mariant Escaño Villegas Dance Company, treated guests to cultural performances native to the province.
The commemoration was followed by a concert and the Centennial Pyro Musical Competition at the Freedom Park, where NegOrense Pride and "Tawag Ng Tanghalan sa Its Showtime" Grand Champion, Kim Hewitt, along with Midnasty Band, wowed the crowd. In his speech, Governor Sagarbarria said that the Capitol Building is not just an architectural marvel but also embodies the province's rich history and enduring spirit in serving the people of Negros Oriental.
"Such a remarkable landmark, it is truly inspiring each day as I walk through each hall and work within its walls. I am reminded of the sacrifices and hard work of our predecessors. Their legacy motivates me to continue their mission of service and development," Sagarbarria conveyed.
Governor Manuel Sagarbarria is honored to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the provincial capitol building during his tenure. COVER AND INSIDE PHOTOS COURTESY OF NEGROS ORIENTAL PROVINCIAL TOURISM BOARD AND THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF NEGROS ORIENTAL Tourism Roadshow in Ayungon
"Celebrating 100 years of the Negros Oriental Capitol Building is a monumental event that goes beyond mere commemoration. It is a celebration of our shared history, resilience, and our enduring commitment to the people as we continue to strive for innovative solutions and developments that will further enhance the quality of life for all NegOrense," he continued.
"This building has endured natural disasters and wars, emerging stronger each time. The resilience of the capitol mirrors the resilience of the proud people of Negros Oriental. Just as this building has withstood the test of time, so too have our people faced and overcome numerous challenges. The Capitol is an unwavering emblem of all NegOrense. It represents our shared history, our collective struggles, and our common aspirations for a brighter future. Let the Capitol inspire us to work together, transcending differences and embracing our shared goal of building a prosperous and harmonious future for all."
Vision for growth In celebrating the 100th year of the Capitol Building, Governor Sagarbarria shared that another thing worth celebrating is the significant resurgence in tourism across the province.
Under his leadership, Negros Oriental has seen impressive growth. He attributes this primarily to restoring peace and order in the province, using Dumaguete's slogan "Province of Gentle People," which reflects the hospitable and serene nature of its residents. "Statistically, we have been doing well since I became governor last year.
In 2022, we only had around 120,000 to 140,000 tourists. In 2023, we increased to 143,000 in one year. Now, we're almost hitting our target of 500,000 a year. In the first quarter alone, we were at 144,000 so we had a growth of 155 percent," Sagarbarria proudly shared.
"The main driver of this growth is, first and foremost, peace and order. I've worked very hard to restore the reputation of Negros Oriental after the incident that happened," he explained, referring to Degamo's ambush.
"It stigmatized Negros as being unsafe due to all the hearings, including Senate hearings, which dragged the name of Negros Oriental into it. So, I had to rebrand the tourism sector back to being the original Negros Oriental—the province of Gentle People. This is the same slogan used in Dumaguete where it was created," he added.
The governor's proactive tourism efforts include the innovative Negros Oriental roadshows, which showcase the province's beauty and culture in 25 local government units (LGUs).
"We've been heavily focusing on tourism, and one of the impacts I believe you've heard about is our Negros Oriental roadshow. Aside from showcasing our local talents, we also bring in influencers from all over the Philippines. This significantly boosts the marketing of Negros Oriental because we want to showcase the beautiful sights when people visit the LGUs.
"These roadshows come out of my own pocket, not from the government. It's just giving back because I was given the chance to be governor, so we'll try to boost the economy as much as we can," Sagarbarria committed.
"Statistics and data show that we are performing well and improving significantly. So if we manage to hit our target of 500,000, maybe by 2025, we can reach a million and achieve double-double growth. This is a goal that we are determined to achieve because economically, like Bohol, they are thriving because of tourists. We have practically the same potential, although they have their unique set of tourism spots, and we have our own. We mostly focus on diving, beaches, resorts, and the lesser-known tourism spots that lack marketing and promotion," he elaborated.
In addition to the world-famous marine sanctuary of Apo Island, Negros Oriental offers an array of equally stunning destinations and activities to experience. From Bais Dolphin Watching and the enchanting Manjuyod Sandbar to exploring caves in Mabinay and visiting the picturesque Twin Lakes of Sibulan (Lake Balinsasayao & Lake Danao), there is no shortage of natural wonders to behold. Not to be missed are the breathtaking Pulangbato Falls in Valencia, the serene Monkey Sanctuary, and the beauty of the Kanlaon Rice Terraces in Canlaon City. Whether seeking waterfalls to explore, trails to hike, panoramic views to admire, or souvenir shopping to indulge in, Negros Oriental has something for everyone.
"We are also very hospitable, good food, everything is near, everything is cheap — the usual Negros Oriental theme from tip to tip. From Kanlaon all the way to Basay," Sagarbarria informed.
"I've been told by the people who choose to stay here—some from Manila, even if they make so much money there — that they find Dumaguete and Negros Oriental charming because they don't feel rushed here. When they wake up in the morning, they take a walk, they will drink chocolate or coffee. It's not like Cebu or Manila where everything is rushed. So here, I'd say it's a mix of both worlds so it's really unique."
Projects for a brighter future Looking ahead, Governor Sagarbarria is focused on several ambitious projects aimed at enhancing the province's infrastructure and healthcare. Among these are the construction of a new government center and the Negros Oriental Medical City.
"I have two projects that are one hundred percent guaranteed, and both are major undertakings. The first is the new government center, and the second is the new Negros Oriental Medical City — a new hospital," Sagarbarria said.
"These are my significant, long-term projects because they typically take three to four years to complete. Our goal is to finish both projects simultaneously," he added.
Another project is the development of the Tamlang Valley Sustainable Agriculture for Growth and Resiliency (TVSAGR) Project, a 25,000-hectare area intended to bolster food security for the entire region.
"When I get to meet with President Marcos, I will present a proposal for a mega-project called Tamlang Valley. This project aims to enhance food security for the entire Region 7, including the Occidental region. The valley spans 25,000 hectares of government-owned land, allowing us to design and cultivate crops under full government control.
"I require the president's assistance because the land is currently classified as forested, despite lacking forest cover — it's essentially flat terrain." Rolling out the rest of his plans, the governor furthered, "We aim to address insurgency issues and create job opportunities while ensuring food security for Negros Oriental. This project will be another major undertaking, and I'll be seeking approval from the President again because it's not solely about financial resources; it primarily involves obtaining an executive order or presidential decree to reclassify the land from forested toagricultural."
Ultimately, Governor Sagarbarria says his vision for Negros Oriental extends beyond his current term. He aims to finish his governorship with substantial achievements, particularly in infrastructure and healthcare, potentially paving the way for future roles in public service.
"My goal is simply to complete my projects and be done with them. Once that's accomplished, I'll reassess and consider my next steps, but my primary focus is on finishing what Negros Oriental truly needs.
"Once I've fully addressed the health services —the hospital and its entire system — I'll be satisfied and content. I can tell myself that I've truly accomplished something and made a positive change for Negros Oriental," he concluded.
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