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Negros Oriental Express Balita, Downtown, Dumaguete City (2026)

12/06/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜
𝐁𝐲: 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐋𝐮𝐢𝐠𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐫𝐨

I have a personal connection to the Dumaguete Public Market.

Growing up, going to the market was part of my daily life. My mother would bring me there to buy food and household needs, and while she went around, she would leave me at Bading’s Halo-Halo, where I would eat, wait, and watch the whole place move around me. Many of my childhood needs were bought in the market too: my green plastic soldier toys, school bags, slippers, and many other simple things.

That is why this matters to me. The public market is familiar to many of us because we have lived with it for years. It has been part of Dumaguete life for generations, and what happens to it next will affect many people who depend on it every day.

The question now is how Dumaguete should build its new public market. Should the City do it through a bank loan, or should it enter into a public-private partnership, or PPP?

I believe the better option is a bank loan.

Of course, a loan should never be taken lightly. The amount involved is huge. The City must explain the figures clearly, follow the law, and make sure that the project is implemented properly. Public money requires public accountability. But we should also be careful not to reject a loan simply because the word “debt” sounds heavy.

The estimated cost of the proposed public market is around ₱1.948 Billion. That number should make us cautious, but it should also make us think seriously about the PPP option. If a private company spends almost ₱2 Billion to build the market, it will not do so out of charity. It will have to recover its investment, pay financing costs, shoulder operations and maintenance, and still earn profit. That is business.

But a public market is not an ordinary commercial project.

It is where small vendors earn their daily income. It is where ordinary families buy food and basic goods. It is one of the few public spaces in the City where the needs of small businesses and consumers meet every single day. Because of that, the public market must be treated not only as a source of revenue, but also as a socio-economic service.

This is where public ownership becomes important. If the City borrows, builds, owns, and operates the market, it keeps the authority to manage the market with social considerations in mind. It can keep rentals reasonable. It can adjust policies when needed. It can listen to vendors, consumers, and the public. It can treat the market as a public service, not merely as a profit center.

Today, some vendors are reportedly paying only around ₱4.00 per day in rent. That rate may be extremely low, but it also shows the social character of the public market. The City can allow that kind of arrangement because it is not operating primarily for private profit. It has room to consider livelihood, affordability, and public welfare.

Can we honestly expect a private investor, after spending almost ₱2 Billion, to operate with the same level of patience and social consideration? I seriously doubt it.

Under a PPP, higher rentals become a real concern. So do stricter collection policies, tighter rules, and less room for flexibility. A private operator has financial targets to meet and contractual rights to protect. If it is given control over the market for many years, the pressure to recover investment and earn profit will naturally affect how the market is run.

This is not to say that all PPPs are bad. PPPs may work for certain projects. But the public market is different because it directly affects food access, small livelihood, and the daily expenses of ordinary families. The more essential the public service, the more careful we must be before allowing private profit to become the main driver.

There is also the issue of accountability.

If the market remains under City control and vendors feel that rentals are unfair, they can go to City Hall. If policies are unreasonable, officials can be questioned. If leaders refuse to listen, the people can hold them accountable in the next election. That is the advantage of a public project: the decision-makers are answerable to the people.

In a PPP, the people may not have the same direct remedy. A private company is not elected by Dumagueteños. It does not face voters. It answers mainly to its contract. If that contract gives the private partner control over the market for a long period, the City and its people may be bound by that arrangement for decades.

That is another serious concern. If the investment is almost ₱2 Billion, the private partner will likely need a long period to recover capital and profit. That could mean a contract lasting several decades, possibly even 40 or 50 years depending on the final terms. By the time full control returns to the City, the facility may already be old, heavily used, and in need of major rehabilitation.

So we have to ask: what is the point of avoiding a loan today if the price is giving up control of the public market for generations? What is the point of saying “no debt” if the result may be higher rentals, weaker public accountability, and a long-term contract that future Dumagueteños will have to live with?

With a bank loan, the City carries the financial responsibility, but it also keeps the authority. The City pays for the project, but the City owns the project. Once the loan is paid, the market remains a public asset of Dumaguete.

With a PPP, the City may avoid borrowing directly, but it may also give a private operator control over one of the most important public spaces in the City. That is not a small trade-off.

I fully support the improvement of the Dumaguete Public Market. It should be cleaner, safer, more organized, and ready for the future. Vendors deserve a better place to sell. Consumers deserve a better place to buy food. Dumaguete deserves a public market that reflects the growth and dignity of the City.

But progress should not mean surrendering public control.

For me, the better path is clear: pursue the bank loan, but do it with transparency, discipline, and strict accountability. Show the numbers. Follow the law. Protect the vendors. Keep rentals reasonable. Manage the market as a public service.

The Dumaguete Public Market has served our families for generations. It should remain public, accountable, and truly for the people.

08/06/2026

The House of Representatives has officially passed House Bill 9815, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at securing and strengthening the power distribution infrastructure across the southern and central parts of Negros Oriental.

Authored by Negros Oriental 2nd District Representative Congresswoman Ma. Isabel MAISA Sagarbarria, the bill is formally titled:

"𝑨𝑵 𝑨𝑪𝑻 𝑮𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑨 𝑭𝑹𝑨𝑵𝑪𝑯𝑰𝑺𝑬 𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑵𝑬𝑮𝑹𝑶𝑺 𝑶𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑨𝑳 𝑰𝑰 𝑬𝑳𝑬𝑪𝑻𝑹𝑰𝑪 𝑪𝑶𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑽𝑬 𝑰𝑵𝑪. (𝑵𝑶𝑹𝑬𝑪𝑶 𝑰𝑰) 𝑻𝑶 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑼𝑪𝑻, 𝑰𝑵𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑳𝑳, 𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑩𝑳𝑰𝑺𝑯, 𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑬, 𝑶𝑾𝑵, 𝑴𝑨𝑵𝑨𝑮𝑬 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑴𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑻𝑨𝑰𝑵 𝑫𝑰𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑰𝑩𝑼𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵 𝑺𝒀𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑴𝑺 𝑭𝑶𝑹 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑽𝑬𝒀𝑨𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑶𝑭 𝑬𝑳𝑬𝑪𝑻𝑹𝑰𝑪 𝑷𝑶𝑾𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑶 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑬𝑵𝑫-𝑼𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑺 𝑰𝑵 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑪𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑬𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑫𝑼𝑴𝑨𝑮𝑼𝑬𝑻𝑬, 𝑻𝑨𝑵𝑱𝑨𝒀, 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑩𝑨𝒀𝑨𝑾𝑨𝑵, 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑴𝑼𝑵𝑰𝑪𝑰𝑷𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑻𝑰𝑬𝑺 𝑶𝑭 𝑷𝑨𝑴𝑷𝑳𝑶𝑵𝑨, 𝑨𝑴𝑳𝑨𝑵, 𝑺𝑨𝑵 𝑱𝑶𝑺𝑬, 𝑺𝑰𝑩𝑼𝑳𝑨𝑵, 𝑽𝑨𝑳𝑬𝑵𝑪𝑰𝑨, 𝑩𝑨𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑮, 𝑫𝑨𝑼𝑰𝑵, 𝒁𝑨𝑴𝑩𝑶𝑨𝑵𝑮𝑼𝑰𝑻𝑨, 𝑺𝑰𝑨𝑻𝑶𝑵, 𝑺𝑻𝑨. 𝑪𝑨𝑻𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑨, 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑩𝑨𝑺𝑨𝒀, 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑽𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑬 𝑶𝑭 𝑵𝑬𝑮𝑹𝑶𝑺 𝑶𝑹𝑰𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑨𝑳."

The passage of HB 9815 ensures the continuity of electric service for three major cities and eleven municipalities within the province. By granting this formal franchise, the House empowers NORECO II to upgrade its existing infrastructure, expand grid lines to far-flung rural areas, and maintain operational autonomy over its distribution assets-NEGROS ORIENTAL EXPRESS BALITA

07/06/2026

‘𝐍𝐄𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐒 𝐈𝐒𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐎𝐍’𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐏-𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄’

The newly established 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐍𝐈𝐑) has identified its highest-rated provincial leaders, with 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐥 “𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐨” 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚 of Negros Oriental, 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐞 “𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐠” 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐬𝐨𝐧 of Negros Occidental, and 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 “𝐉𝐞𝐤𝐣𝐞𝐤” 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 of Siquijor emerging as the region’s top governors in the latest RPMD Foundation Inc. “𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧” 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 (IOG) Survey.

Conducted from April 1 to 8, 2026, the non-commissioned and independent survey marks the first major governance and leadership assessment following the establishment of the Negros Island Region, making it the region’s earliest benchmark of public sentiment toward provincial leadership. The study was part of RPMD Foundation Inc.’s nationwide “Boses ng Bayan” initiative, which simultaneously assessed provincial governors, city mayors, and district representatives nationwide.

A total of 5,000 respondents were randomly selected and personally interviewed across various socio-economic classes throughout Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Siquijor. Using proportional representation and face-to-face interviews, the survey carries a ±1% margin of error at a 95% confidence level, making it one of the most comprehensive regional public opinion assessments conducted in the country.

The survey was conducted as an independent and non-commissioned public service initiative, with no government office, political organization, candidate, or private interest group funding or directing the study. According to RPMD Foundation Inc., the objective is to provide citizens and public officials with an impartial measure of public trust, leadership effectiveness, and governance performance.

The survey utilized RPMD Foundation Inc.'s Index of Governance (IOG), the organization’s principal measurement tool for evaluating public leadership and governance effectiveness. The IOG is derived from two equally weighted indicators: Trust Ratings and Performance Ratings, providing a comprehensive assessment of how constituents view their elected officials.

Trust Ratings measure public confidence in a governor’s integrity, transparency, accountability, credibility, leadership, and commitment to public welfare. Performance Ratings assess governance effectiveness across service delivery, fiscal management, infrastructure development, healthcare, education, economic growth initiatives, public safety, environmental stewardship, disaster preparedness, responsiveness, and overall administrative performance.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲, 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩.

According to RPMD, the Index of Governance serves as the survey’s overall rating, combining trust and performance into a single score that reflects the public’s assessment of a governor’s effectiveness. The organization emphasized that the IOG is designed to measure governance outcomes rather than political popularity.

“This is not a popularity survey. We are not measuring name recall, celebrity status, or political noise. We are measuring results. The Index of Governance reflects how people assess both trust and performance. When public officials earn high marks in both areas, it indicates effective leadership and responsive governance. Popularity may rise and fall, but trust earned through performance remains the strongest foundation of public confidence,” explained Dr. Paul Martinez, Executive Director of RPMD Foundation Inc. and Global Affairs and Political Analyst.

RPMD noted that the passing benchmark for the Index of Governance is 55 percent. Scores from 60 to 69.9 percent are classified as Strong, while ratings of 70 percent and above are considered Very Strong, reflecting exceptional levels of public trust and satisfaction. The higher the IOG score, the stronger the public’s assessment of a leader’s governance performance, effectiveness, and credibility.

Leading the rankings is 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚 of Negros Oriental, who earned an impressive 78.1% Index of Governance (IOG), derived from a 77.8% Trust Rating and 78.5% Performance Rating. His results represent the highest overall score among all governors surveyed in the region, placing him at the forefront of public trust and leadership performance in the inaugural NIR assessment.

Ranking second is 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐬𝐨𝐧 of Negros Occidental, who registered a 74.2% Index of Governance (IOG), derived from a 73.6% Trust Rating and 74.9% Performance Rating. The findings indicate sustained public confidence in his leadership and continued approval of provincial government programs and services.

Completing the Top Three is 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐞𝐤𝐣𝐞𝐤 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐣𝐨𝐫, who posted a 71.7% Index of Governance (IOG), generated from a 71.3% Trust Rating and 72.1% Performance Rating. The results reflect favorable public evaluations of his administration’s responsiveness, effectiveness, and commitment to serving the people of Siquijor.

𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐏𝐌𝐃’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐢𝐞𝐫, 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟓𝟓-𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭.

Dr. Martinez emphasized that the findings carry significance beyond public perception alone.

“𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩. 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬.”

Martinez further noted that while the survey is not intended to measure electoral preference, trust and performance ratings often serve as important indicators of long-term political strength.

“𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒗𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆. 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒐𝒍𝒍, 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑻𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕, 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒙 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒚𝒑𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔.”

𝐑𝐏𝐌𝐃 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐜. 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚, 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐞𝐤𝐣𝐞𝐤 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐕𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐱 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞.

As the first regional assessment conducted following the establishment of the Negros Island Region, the survey provides an important baseline for measuring public trust, leadership effectiveness, and institutional performance in the years ahead. More importantly, it reinforces a simple but enduring principle of public service: while popularity may fluctuate, trust earned through performance remains the most powerful measure of effective leadership, and the Index of Governance serves as its clearest expression.

07/06/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐏𝐏𝐏 𝐈𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐞’𝐬 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭

𝑨 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆, 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆

Dumaguete clearly needs a new public market. Anyone who has been there knows the situation—tight spaces, aging structures, heat, congestion, and daily struggles for both vendors and buyers. So the need is not in question.

The real question is simpler than it sounds:

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒏—𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕, 𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒊𝒕?

A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) sounds good at first. It promises “faster construction” and “less burden on the city budget.” On paper, it feels modern and efficient.

But when you slow down and think about it in everyday terms, a PPP is basically this -- A private company pays to build and run something important, and in return, it has to 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤—𝐩𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭—𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬.

And that is where the concerns begin. A public market is not like a shopping center or a private business. It is where:

-small fish vendors earn daily income
-farmers sell their harvest
-families buy affordable food
-ordinary workers stretch their budget

This is not a luxury space. It is a survival space for many people. So the worry is simple -- 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒇𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔?

𝐀 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: 𝐂𝐞𝐛𝐮’𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭

We already have something to observe -- the redevelopment of Carbon Market. It is modernized through a PPP arrangement.
While it improved infrastructure, many discussions around it have focused on one major concern -- vendors feel so UNCERTAIN about affordability and long-term stability that they NO LONGER WANT TO RETURN to their old stalls.

In simple terms, the fear is this:

When a private partner invests billions, they don’t just “upgrade” the market. They also need to recover their money, which often means higher stall rentals and stricter rules over time.

The question is:

Can small vendors SURVIVE inside a system designed to recover large investments and generate long-term profit?

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐞

If Dumaguete follows the same PPP path, here’s what many residents are concerned about—not in technical terms, but in real-life terms:

1. Less control for the city

A private company may manage the market for 30–50 years, or more. That’s longer than most political leaders will serve.

So even if the city government changes its mind later, it may be locked into a contract that is difficult and expensive to change.

In everyday language -- The city can no longer fully “own the steering wheel” of its own public market.

2. Higher stall rentals over time

Right now, many vendors pay around ₱40–₱150 per day.

But under a PPP setup, the operator has to recover construction costs and earn profit over decades. That often leads to gradual increases in rent; in such scenario, a commercial space can cost P20k-35k/stall, and a tiny stall can cost a vendor ten-fold more than what he actually pays now.

For a vendor earning just enough for daily food and school expenses, a few extra hundred pesos per week can already make a difference between staying in business or closing down.

So the concern is not “big economics.” It is very simple -- Will ordinary vendors still be able to afford their own market?

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠

The other option is straightforward -- the city borrows money (a loan) and builds the market itself.

Yes, the city pays the loan over time, to be exact, 15 years but there are key differences --

*The city stays fully in control
*There is a clear timeline for paying the debt
*Rent increases can be kept minimal and gradual
*The market remains focused on service, not profit

In practical terms, this means:

*Today’s low rentals can stay stable
*Any adjustments are decided locally, not by investor demands
*The market remains truly public in character

At the heart of this debate is something very simple -- What is a public market supposed to be?

Is it -- a long-term investment project meant to earn returns, or
a public space meant to protect small livelihoods?

Both approaches can build a structure.

But only one keeps the focus on the people who wake up at 3 or 4 AM to sell fish, vegetables, and goods so they can survive the day.

𝐀 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭

If a public market becomes too expensive for its own vendors, something has gone wrong. Because a market without vendors is just a building.

And a market where only big players can afford space is no longer truly “public.”
Dumaguete’s decision is not just about construction.

It is about what kind of city it wants to be in the long run.

A PPP may build a modern structure faster. That is true.

But the deeper question remains:

𝑾𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚—𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇?

06/06/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐔𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭

There are places that become more than just buildings. They become part of our stories.

For many Filipinos, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila was one of those places. It was where families celebrated milestones, where professionals and dignitaries attended important events, where friendships were formed, and where memories were made. Its iconic silhouette along Manila Bay became a familiar sight for generations. So when news broke that the hotel would be closing its doors, many people reacted with sadness and nostalgia.

Yet behind the emotions was a reality that could no longer be ignored.

The hotel was over fifty years of age. Built on reclaimed land, it had been facing increasing maintenance challenges associated with aging infrastructure. Safety concerns had also been raised, including reports of numerous fire incidents over the years. While renovations had been planned, the scale of the work required had become so extensive that continuing normal operations was no longer practical. Eventually, the difficult decision was made to permanently close the property.

The story of Sofitel reminds us of an important truth -- sometimes, preserving the future requires us to rethink the structures of the past.

This lesson is especially relevant to the ongoing discussion about the redevelopment of the Dumaguete Public Market.

Like Sofitel, the public market is not merely a building. It is part of the city's heartbeat. Every day, vendors wake up before dawn to prepare their goods. Shoppers visit to buy fresh produce, seafood, meat, and household necessities. Conversations are exchanged between neighbors. Livelihoods are built. For countless Dumagueteños, the market is woven into daily life.

That is precisely why discussions about its redevelopment evoke strong emotions. People are not simply talking about concrete and steel; they are talking about a place that holds memories and meaning.

But affection for a place should not prevent us from confronting its realities.

Over the years, the Dumaguete Public Market has shown signs of age and wear. Congested pathways, aging facilities, sanitation concerns, drainage issues, limited space, and outdated infrastructure have become familiar challenges. These are not merely inconveniences. They affect the daily experience of vendors, consumers, and everyone who depends on the market for their livelihood and basic needs.

Just as Sofitel eventually reached a point where repairs alone could no longer address deeper concerns, the public market faces questions that go beyond simple maintenance. There comes a time when patchwork solutions are no longer enough. There comes a time when a community must ask whether an aging facility can continue serving future generations in the way they deserve.

Safety is perhaps the most compelling reason. Public markets are among the busiest places in any city. Thousands of people pass through them regularly. As structures age, concerns about fire safety, accessibility, sanitation, and structural integrity become increasingly important. Waiting for a serious incident before taking action is never a responsible option. Redevelopment allows the city to address these concerns proactively rather than reactively.

There is also the reality of growth.

Dumaguete today is not the same city it was decades ago. The population has increased. Economic activity has expanded. Tourism has flourished. More people rely on public services and infrastructure than ever before. A market designed for the needs of a smaller city inevitably struggles to accommodate the demands of a larger and more dynamic one.

Cities, like people, must adapt to changing circumstances. What worked yesterday may not be sufficient tomorrow.

Redeveloping the Dumaguete Public Market is not about erasing history. It is about ensuring that the market remains relevant and functional for future generations. A modern market can provide cleaner facilities, better waste management systems, wider walkways, improved ventilation, safer structures, more organized vendor spaces, and greater convenience for both sellers and buyers. It can create an environment where businesses can thrive and where residents can shop with comfort and confidence.

Most importantly, redevelopment is an investment in people. It is an investment in the vendors who deserve better working conditions. It is an investment in consumers who deserve a safer and more efficient marketplace. It is an investment in a growing city that must prepare itself for the demands of the future.

When Sofitel closed, many people mourned the end of an era. But the closure was not simply about saying goodbye. It was about recognizing that the needs of the future required a different path forward.

The same perspective can guide Dumaguete today.

The public market's legacy does not reside solely in its walls, roofs, or aging structures. Its true legacy lies in the people who give it life every single day. Redevelopment does not diminish that legacy; it strengthens it by ensuring that the market can continue serving the community for decades to come.

Progress is not always comfortable. Change is not always easy. But there are moments when communities must choose between holding on to what is familiar and embracing what is necessary. The proposed redevelopment of the Dumaguete Public Market is one of those moments.

Just as Sofitel's story teaches us that even cherished landmarks must evolve with the times, the future of the Dumaguete Public Market calls for the same courage and vision. The question is not whether the market has served the city well—it certainly has. The question is whether we are willing to prepare it for the generations that will come after us.

And if we truly care about the future of Dumaguete, the answer should be YES.

04/06/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬

The vendors of the Dumaguete City Public Market have expressed gratitude and optimism following the local government's sustained efforts to finally address the realities and challenges they have faced for many years.

Beginning in September 2025, the Dumaguete City administration initiated a series of consultations with individuals and families whose livelihoods depend on the public market. The objective was simple yet significant: to listen, understand, and give vendors an opportunity to directly communicate their concerns, experiences, and aspirations to the local government.

Over a span of nine days, vendors from the various sections of the market participated in consultations where they openly discussed the pressing issues affecting their daily operations and working conditions. Among the concerns repeatedly raised were poor sanitation and cleanliness, foul odors, sewage-related problems, drainage systems that frequently overflow, and deteriorating market infrastructure.

Particularly alarming were reports regarding dilapidated tables and stalls in the wet market sections, especially in the meat and fish areas. Vendors also pointed to leaking roofs, unusable restrooms, inadequate water supply, and recurring power outages caused by aging electrical systems. Some even recalled incidents in which electrical panel boards caught fire, highlighting the urgent need for modernization and safety improvements.

For many vendors, the consultations represented more than just a government exercise. They viewed them as a long-overdue opportunity to be heard.

Several vendors shared their disappointment over what they described as years of neglect, saying that the concerns of those earning a living within the public market had not received sufficient attention in the past. They also raised issues regarding roadside vending, noting that some individuals operating outside the market were allegedly doing business without proper permits while being allowed to continue selling through the issuance of tickets. In response, the current administration directed the City Economic Enterprise Office to conduct a comprehensive study and recommend appropriate policy actions.

Compounding the market's existing problems was the powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Bogo, Cebu, on September 30, 2025, along with the series of aftershocks that followed. The seismic activity significantly affected the structural integrity of portions of the Dumaguete City Public Market.

Given that the market building is already approximately 44 years old, concerns regarding its safety became even more pronounced. Years of wear and tear, coupled with the effects of the earthquake, resulted in two sections of the market being declared unsafe for occupancy. These areas have since been closed and are no longer available for use or lease due to the risk of structural failure.

Despite these challenges, vendors have welcomed the current administration's efforts to engage directly with stakeholders and develop long-term solutions. Many expressed appreciation that their opinions were actively sought and seriously considered, giving them renewed confidence that their welfare is a priority.

The strong support shown by market vendors has been evident not only through the active participation of market section officers but also through the attendance and involvement of small-scale vendors from across the facility. Their engagement reflects broad support for initiatives aimed at improving safety, sanitation, infrastructure, and overall market conditions.

For the vendors of the Dumaguete City Public Market, the consultations marked an important first step toward meaningful change—one that acknowledges their contributions to the local economy and recognizes their right to a safe, clean, and dignified place in which to earn a living.

02/06/2026

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃

One of the curiosities of our time is how some people can speak with absolute certainty about matters they barely understand.

The phenomenon is so common that psychologists even gave it a name -- 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆-𝐊𝐑𝐔𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓. Simply put, it describes people who know just enough to believe they know everything.

It describes 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐨 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐨, administrator, writer and owner of 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 -- the perfect example of the DUNNING-KRUGER EFFECT

Whenever Kenneth Lucio Tenebro discusses the proposed construction project of the Dumaguete City Public Market, one cannot help but be reminded of this very concept.

The confidence is certainly there. In fact, there is enough confidence to fill the entire market complex. What seems to be in shorter supply is the appreciation that infrastructure projects are often far more complicated than social media commentaries would suggest.

Real experts—engineers, architects, urban planners, economists, and public administrators—often approach such projects with caution. They understand that every major development involves countless considerations: structural integrity, public safety, economic viability, traffic flow, vendor welfare, environmental impact, and long-term sustainability. The more they know, the more careful they become.

Curiously, the opposite often happens with those who know the least. That's what happens with Kenneth Lucio Tenebro a.k.a. Breaking News Negros Oriental.

For him, every issue appears simple. Every answer appears obvious. Every decision-maker is presumed incompetent. Every technical explanation is brushed aside in favor of sweeping declarations delivered with unwavering certainty.

It is the kind of confidence that makes one wonder whether expertise has become obsolete and whether years of study can now be replaced by a strong opinion and a Facebook account.

To be clear, citizens have every right to question public projects. In fact, they should. Transparency, accountability, and public participation are essential in any democracy. But there is a difference between asking hard questions and pretending to have all the answers. That's the kind of pretense that Kenneth Lucio Tenebro, administrator, writer and owner of Breaking News Negros Oriental exhibits.

The proposed redevelopment of the Dumaguete City Public Market deserves thoughtful debate. It deserves facts, evidence, and informed discussion. What it does not need is commentary driven more by self-assurance than understanding.

There is nothing wrong with not knowing everything. Nobody does. The real problem begins when a person knows very little, yet believes he knows more than everyone else in the room. Just like what Kenneth Lucio Tenebro has shown a lot of times.

That is when confidence ceases to be an asset and becomes a spectacle. And unfortunately, spectacles are easier to find these days than substance.

You find it everytime Kenneth Lucio Tenebro publishes his opinionated posts via his Breaking News Negros Oriental page...

Negros Oriental Express Balita

12/06/2026

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