By JEN BAYLON

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer said yesterday the resignation of former Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri was “a big loss” for Negros.

“He is a big loss to Negros as he is considered a Negrense,” Ferrer said.

He added that Zubiri was also a great help for the sugar industry.

The former Senate president has been instrumental in securing funding for various projects and initiatives in the province, with the allocation of P100 million for every local government unit.

Meanwhile, Ferrer is still confident that, despite Zubiri’s resignation from his post, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. will sign the Negros Island Region bill into law.

“[The bill] will not be affected. It is already in the Office of the President, and [Marcos] has not vetoed it,” Ferrer said.

“It may even lapse into law,” he added.

Zubiri resigned from his post as Senate president on Monday, May 20, two days before the end of the second regular session of the 19th Congress.

The senator said he would be an independent member of the Senate.

“I have never dictated my position to any of you, and I always supported your independence — which is probably why I face my demise today. I failed to follow instructions from the powers that be,” he said.

He was replaced by Senator Francis Escudero./JB, WDJ