By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A senator wants to hear the arguments from individuals or groups opposing the reestablishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) before making a stand.

According to Senator Imee Marcos, who visited Bacolod City on Friday, September 8, the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo said his province relies on Cebu and their ties can’t be cut-off.

Marcos said she also heard new arguments over the NIR bill, but she has not yet fully reviewed it.

“It always ends up being an economic effort, so if you are going to set up a new area, it should be viable economically,” she said.

The senator further pointed out that establishing a new region would be expensive as government agencies would set up new regional offices.

Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said they are aiming to have the NIR approved by December of this year.

He vowed to give a strong counter-argument against those who would oppose the creation of the region.

Early this year, Degamo said he opposed the idea of reestablishing the region.

He reasoned out his opposition because of the cultural divide between the Hiligaynon-speaking Negros Occidental side and the Cebuano-speaking Negros Oriental side, the Occidental’s political dominance, and unequal voting at the Regional Development Council should the NIR be established.

Prior to his assassination in March, Degamo proposed the creation of a new province in the northern part of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental before agreeing to the creation of the NIR.

The late governor’s proposal raised eyebrows among government officials in Negros, as some immediately rejected his idea that this would take too long.

Degamo’s successor, Negros Oriental Governor Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria, has not yet submitted his official stand on the NIR bill.

It was reported that Sagarbarria will not oppose any moves towards the region’s reestablishment.

Under the proposed measure, the NIR will be composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor provinces./DGB, WDJ