DBM, NEDA eye two sub-regions

BACOLOD CITY: Pending passage of bills establishing the Negros Island Regions (NIR), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) are pushing for the creation of two subregions.

Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez over the weekend said the fastest way to move forward is the creation of Region 6A for Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, and Region 7A for Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Benitez also said the proposal “forces all national offices to put up their respective satellite offices in two subregions.”

What we are discussing now, according to the mayor, is “the degree of autonomy of the subregions.”

The mayor, who heads the Regional Development Council in Western Visayas, said “that is a win-win solution.”

“For Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, there is no need to cross to Iloilo, in order to transact business with the regional offices, if they already have satellite offices here,” he pointed out.

All Negros Island and Siquijor lawmakers either authored or co-sponsored similar bills creating the NIR, which was abolished during the administration of then-President Rodrigo Duterte.

Benitez said he already talked with Negros Occidental Sixth District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez regarding the proposal from the NEDA and the DBM.

While he is yet to get the sentiments of Negros congressmen, who are pushing for the NIR, Benitez said, “I think this would be a good compromise to move forward.”

“If it can be done, I think we have solved the majority of our issues,” the mayor also said, adding that he was told by Alvarez that they will review the DBM and NEDA proposals.

After getting the approval of the DBM and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, then maybe President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will issue an executive order for it, Benitez said.