Fifteen mayors in Negros Occidental have expressed their support for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution, Association of Chief Executives (ACE) in Negros president and Victorias City Mayor Javi Miguel Benitez said yesterday.

“I asked members of ACE if they are in favor of the charter change, and 15 of them said they are in favor,” Benitez said.

Benitez said Pulupandan Mayor Miguel Peña, League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Negros Occidental chapter president, said he is okay with the amendment’s economic and political aspects, except with land ownership.

However, Benitez said development is crucial for everyone.

“It will require changes in the economic provisions of the Constitution to make it legitimate,” Benitez said.

Earlier, Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante confirmed that the signatures for the People’s Initiative are being gathered in his locality.

Escalante, also the United Negros Alliance secretary general, said a local group asked his permission to gather signatures last week.

“I gave them permission,” Escalante said.

He claimed that there was no payment involved./WDJ