By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Following reports the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) would be hosting a public consultation on constitutional reform on Friday, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia said, “The city is just providing the venue and facilitating the event,” but also declared his support for transitioning to a federal form of government.
“There may be some hesitation or doubts of how successful [federalism] could be,” he said. “I am for federalism because I feel that it is going to be good for Bacolod City and Negros Occidental.”
Leonardia explained the event will be led by Southern Leyte Lone District Rep. Roger Mercado, who chairs the committee on constitutional amendments.
According to the congressman, the consultation will look at the necessity of transitioning the current form of government, whether it should be done through a constitutional amendment or revision, and specific proposals.
Meanwhile, Mark Steven Mayo, a member of Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya’s congressional staff, said the event is being overseen by their office, alongside that of Rep. Alfredo Benitez.
He added 300 participants from government agencies, business groups, academic institutions, professional and legal groups, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, and other sectoral groups have been invited, along with 17 congressmen from the Negros Island Region (NIR), Iloilo, and Agusan del Norte.
The event, hosted by the city government, runs from at 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with welcoming remarks expected from both Leonardia and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr./WDJ