By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A Negros Occidental lawmaker is confident that the re-establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) will push through.

According to 3rd district Congressman Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, he believes the new Negros Oriental Governor Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes is in favor of NIR revival.

Reyes replaced Governor Roel Degamo hours after he was killed with eight others in the Pamplona massacre on March 4.

Benitez said the late Degamo, prior to the assassination, was already softening his stance and leaning closer to the NIR’s re-establishment.

The lawmakers said they are just waiting for the Senate to resume their discussions on the NIR bill.

“Informally, Senator [JV] Ejercito said that, perhaps, when the Senate resumes, they will continue their hearing on the NIR,” Benitez said.

He said they want to make sure that Negros Oriental is in favor.

The senator said they currently don’t see any political problems with the NIR revival, and the issue actually lies in the budgetary aspect.

“One more hearing, then TWG [technical working group] already,” Ejercito said.

“The bill we filed in the lower house introduced provisions that would help address the budgetary issues,” Benitez said.

Late last month, the House of Representatives approved House Bill 7355, or An Act Establishing the NIR and it was subsequently forwarded to the Senate for disposition.

If enacted, the NIR would be an amalgamation of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces./DGB, WDJ