By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo yesterday affirmed the shift to a federal form of government is still in the works but said the campaign, which he pointed out is still lacking in terms of information dissemination, may be stalled due to certain issues, including rising inflation.

“The inflation rate has to be addressed first, but I think the shift to federalism will continue,” the governor stated, noting, he believes the shift will be completed before the end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term in office.

Degamo said he has maximized efforts within his province to get information out, saying, federalism will be good for Negros.

The Consultative Commission on federalism included in its earlier draft, which was signed by Duterte, the Negrosanon Federal Region, composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Degamo said, under a federal government, local governments will no longer be dependent on the national government.

“For instance, we are an agricultural province, we are more in the position to come up with our policies on agriculture rather than those people in Manila,” he pointed out./DGB, WDJ