• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday aired his support for the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR) along with his other colleagues in the Senate, following its approval in the House of Representatives.
Gatchalian, who attended the World Teachers’ Day celebration in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, however, said there is a need to make a thorough study of the proposal to ensure that the infrastructures are in place.
If there are no infrastructures, Negrenses would still have to go to Iloilo to transact with the regional offices of government agencies, he noted.
“Ayaw natin nagawa na ang region, walang kasunod na infrastructures. So tatawid pa yung tao (sa dagat) for administrative matters,” the senator said. “But in principle, I agree with it because it will be a hassle to go to the regional centers in Iloilo”.
Recently, the governors of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor had a meeting in Metro Manila, which was facilitated by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, and also attended by Senator Juan Victor Ejercito and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo.
Lacson said the gathering went well and he called it a “meeting of the minds” to support the creation of the NIR.
He added that they agreed to maintain the same regional offices already assigned in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental during the initial existence of the NIR.
Zubiri earlier expressed confidence that the Senate will approve the NIR bill before the year ends.
The Senate committee on local government chaired by Ejercito is now deliberating the NIR bill. | GB
