Bacolod City – Atty. Rowena “Weng” Lizares promised to serve Talisaynons with integrity, transparency, and accountability, as she assumed office on June 30 as the first woman mayor of Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
Stressing that public service is a sacred trust, said Lizares, who replaces her husband, Neil Lizares, as mayor of the city. “We will make sure that every centavo is spent wisely, that every project is monitored, and that all actions are open to scrutiny.”
Lizares took her oath of office recently at the Talisay City public plaza, before Judge Therese Blance Bolunia, who also administered the oath taking of Vice Mayor Gabs Villacin and the 10 elected councilors of Talisay City, which was also attended by Third District Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez.
You have known me as a woman, a mother, an NGO worker, and a lawyer. In this role, I will do my best to govern with compassion and genuine concern for everyone – to protect
our natural resources, to stand firm in preserving our peace and security, and to ensure order in our community, she stressed during her inaugural speech.
Having been elected as the first woman chief executive of Talisay City, the former first lady of Talisay City also said “this is not just about breaking barriers. This is about ensuring that no one is left behind, that every voice is heard, and that our leadership reflects the strength, resilience, and compassion of our people,” she added.
In this role, I will do my best to govern with compassion and genuine concern for everyone – to protect our natural resources, to stand firm in preserving our peace and security, and to ensure order in our community, Lizares said.
She further said that she will also listen to the concerns, not only of women, but also the youth, elderly, persons with abilities and capacities, and even those facing life’s challenges.
“We will make sure that everyone, regardless of status, gender, or belief, has a seat at the table. Leadership must serve everyone – not just a few – but also farmers, fisherfolk, small entrepreneurs, and professionals”, she further said.
Her administration, Lizares said, will invest in green programs, to protect watersheds, promote eco-friendly tourism, support organic agriculture, and to push for waste reduction.
A clean, green, and climate-resilient City of Talisay is not a dream – it is a plan we will build together, the lady mayor said
Good Governance (Gwapa nga Panghimanwa) of Talisay City, she added, is not just about beauty in appearance, but also about dignity, order, with well-maintained roads, well-lit streets, functioning drainage systems, peaceful and healthy communities, and responsive leaders.
I am not perfect, but I promise to be present. I am not a miracle worker, but I believe in collective action. With your help, we can build a city that is not only livable – but lovable. A city where our children can dream, where women can lead, where our elderly are respected, and where our workers are empowered, Lizares further stressed. (Gilbert Bayoran via tvds)