Degamo reiterates opposition to NIR

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson said yesterday he respects the position of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, who is opposing the proposed creation of a one-island region.

The two governors met in private at a hotel in Dumaguete City to discuss various issues confronting the two provinces, including the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR).

Degamo raised during the meeting that a fourth province be placed under the NIR, which, he explained, would level the playing field in terms of representation at the Regional Development Council.

The fourth province that Degamo proposed will comprise Negros Oriental’s Vallehermoso town and Negros Occidental’s cities of San Carlos and Escalante.

At present, the proposal is to include in the NIR a third province, which is Siquijor.

Degamo has repeatedly pointed out that the creation of NIR will put Negros Oriental at a disadvantage as it would only have three districts compared to Negros Occidental, which would have seven.

Also, Negros Oriental has only six cities compared to Negros Occidental, which has 11.

This would also mean there will be no equal share in resources and income, apart from language barriers, Degamo said.

Lacson, for his part, said he understood where Degamo was coming from and that he respects the latter’s decision.

He was hopeful though that once these concerns had been ironed out, “perhaps he might reverse his decision.” “We also came up with some possibilities that may somehow convince him,” Lacson said.

“What is important is that we will continue to keep our lines open and this will not be the last time that we will sit down and talk and maybe next time, I will be in a better position to answer the issues he has raised,” he added.