Revival of original NIR instead of creating sub-regions pushed
NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is hoping that the original plan for the Negros Island Region (NIR) will push through instead of just creating two sub-regions for the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental while its implementation is on process.
“My understanding is that (the sub-regions) are temporary but what we want is really the NIR just like what we had (before it was dissolved) because we were functioning as a region here,” Lacson stressed.
The Department of Budget and National ECOBACOLOD nomic Development Authority, are the two agencies pushing for proposal of putting Negros Occidental in Sub-region 6-A and Neg. Oriental under Sub-region 7-A.
However, Lacson noted that there are questions that need to be answered such us will Negros have its own regional development council and what would be the ranks of the government personnel who will be manning the government offices.
“If we are a sub- region, how does it function?” he asked.
The idea of putting up two sub- regions was raised last week by Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez during a press conference wherein he described the proposal as “the fastest way to move forward.”
Benitez said the proposal “forces all national offices to put up their respective satellite offices in two-sub regions.”
What they are discussing now, Benitez said, is the degree of autonomy of the sub region.
The mayor, who chairs the Regional Development Council in Western Visayas, said creating two sub-regions 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 solons, as well as that of Siquijor, either authored or co- sponsored similar bills reviving NIR, which was abolished during the administration of then President Rodrigo Duterte.
Benitez said he already talked with Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (6th district, Negros Occ) regarding the DBM, NEDA proposals of creating the sub-regions and the latter said they have to review it.
While he has yet to get the sentiments of other solons Benitez said the proposal would be a good compromise to move forward.”
After getting the approval of DBM and the Department of Interior and Local Government, then maybe the President will issue an executive order for the creation of the sub-regions.*