By JEN BAYLON

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson expressed his intention to endorse Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez as Regional Development Council (RDC) chairman of the newly-created Negros Island Region (NIR) when it becomes fully functional in 2025.

However, Lacson said officials from the three provinces in NIR — Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor — have not yet discussed the matter officially.

“We haven’t really talked about it yet. I mean the three provinces have not sat down,” Lacson said.

He said the nomination for RDC chairman involves submitting names to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who will then make the decision.

“There is still no call for submission of names as RDC chair,” Lacson said.

“We don’t even know if it would be practical to appoint one, considering that by October, we will file our [certificates of] candidacy. Basi ang focus will be on the [2025 midterm] elections,” he added.

It remains to be seen whether Benitez will be appointed as the first RDC chairman of NIR.

Lacson’s endorsement suggests that the Bacolod mayor has a strong chance of getting the position.

The NIR was officially signed into law by Marcos on June 13, through Republic Act No. 12000.

The new region aims to promote economic growth and development in the three Visayan provinces./JB, WDJ