Proposal seeks to establish Negros region through legislation
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Negros Oriental third district Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. said he is confident the proposed Negrosanon Federated Region (NFR) will proceed under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Teves was part of a symposium regarding NFR yesterday morning at the Sugarland Hotel in Bacolod City.
Also in attendance were Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr., Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, and Consultative Committee member Arthur Aguilar.
In a press conference following the event, Teves said there is “hope again” for Negros to become one region under a federal form of government, adding, its formation will be much stronger since it will be crafted through legislation.
He was also pleased with the proposal recommending two regional senators.
“My suggestion before was two, but I think they are putting three,” Teves said. “Of course, all this would be deliberated by Congress.”
The congressman said he would like to be an NFR senator.
Teves also suggested Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez as another prospect for NFR senator.
If the proposal goes through, NFR would eventually replace the Negros Island Region (NIR), which was earlier abolished by Duterte over budget concerns.
NIR was created by former President Benigno S. Aquino III via executive order./DGB, WDJ
