By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

During a visit to Bacolod City yesterday, Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo said she is waiting for a formal proposal to create a Negros Federal State under a federal form of government.

“It is hard to make a stand until we see the proposal,” she said. “Without the parameters and specifics it is hard to say if it can be beneficial.”

Meanwhile, Arthur Aguilar, a member of the Consultative Committee, which is tasked with reviewing the 1987 Philippine Constitution, said he will do everything to ensure a Negros Federal State is realized under federalism.

He said the committee is proposing 17 states, claiming the inclusion of a Negros Federal State was considered “practical” by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

The Negros Island Region was created via executive order by former President Benigno S. Aquino III, but was later dissolved by President Rodrigo Duterte due to budgetary constraints.

The vice president was in the city to attend three speaking engagements, along with the launch of her Istorya ng Bayan program at the Bishop’s House, which was attended by Diocese of Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon and former Negros Occidental Governor Rafael Coscolluela./DGB, WDJ