The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently conducted a federalism briefing for information officers at the Philippine Statistics Authority Training Room in Bacolod City.
Negros Occidental DILG Director Carmelo Orbista called the transition an “economic effort.”
“By creating federal regions, we [will] immediately establish centers of power, finance, and development throughout the country,” he explained.
“In federalism, the distribution will be reversed,” Orbista added. “[Local government units] can retain most of their revenue income collection.”
Last month, the DILG federalism roadshow stopped at the Lamberto Macias Sports Complex in Dumaguete City.
During the event, Negros Occidental third district Rep. Alfredo Benitez revealed President Rodrigo Duterte assured him he would not oppose the creation of the Negros Federal Region, the proposed federal state comprised of both Negros provinces and Siquijor./WDJ