By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
A senator has expressed support for the reestablishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) which is now being deliberated in the Senate.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who visited Negros Occidental’s Victorias City for the 2023 Education Summit on Friday, October 6, said the reestablishment of the NIR will be a big help for Negrenses as they will no longer have to cross Iloilo or Cebu provinces to gain access to key government services.
However, he said the government infrastructure in Negros must be carefully studied as it could be expensive if the establishment pushes through.
The NIR was abolished by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017 due to high costs in maintaining the region.
House Bill 7355, or the bill that seeks to establish NIR, hurdled at the House of Representatives in March, and was later forwarded to the Senate.
Siquijor will also be included in the NIR.
The governors of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor discussed on September 21, the proposed merger of the three provinces into one administrative region.
“We are committed to bringing the government closer to our people, which is why we support reestablishing the NIR,” Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said after the meeting.
He highlighted that the current administrative setup for the three provinces poses challenges for the public in accessing government services.
The NIR would do away with the need for residents to cross Iloilo or Cebu.
Zubiri also plans to relay the consensus among the local chief executives to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental have settled on the locations of the regional government offices, with Siquijor’s agreement.
This list will be forwarded to the Senate Committee on Local Government, chaired by Senator JV Ejercito.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the NIR regional offices established before its abolition would remain operational.
The officials expressed optimism about passing the bill by December of this year, viewing it as a “Christmas gift” for the residents of Negros and Siquijor./DGB, WDJ