• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Let President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decide on the fate of the proposed Negros Island Region (NIR), comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
This was the statement of Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday, in reaction to the opposition raised by Bishop Julito Cortes of the Diocese of Dumaguete and some church officials in Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Lacson reiterated his assurance that under the NIR, Negros Occidental will not put Negros Oriental at a disadvantage, which he also told the late Governor Roel Degamo.
“Having said that, let us put our trust in the President to make his decision based on all available data he has in his hands,” he added.
In a letter sent to Marcos, Cortes and seven episcopal vicars in Negros Oriental and Siquijor, as well as a clergy association, called on Marcos to consider vetoing Senate Bill No. 2507, which proposes the creation of NIR.
They claimed that the process has been marred by lack of comprehensive information dissemination and meaningful consultation with the diverse sectors and stakeholders of Negros Oriental.
Whether he thinks the approval of the NIR bill will be derailed because of the opposition, Lacson said “The President will make a decision”.
In his recent visit to Negros Occidental, Marcos said he is committed to sign the NIR bill into law to enhance governance and growth of three provinces.
All the lawmakers of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor as well as their respective governors have expressed full support to the creation of NIR.
Cortes maintained that the intention of NIR bill “until now is unclear” to the general public.
By vetoing the NIR bill, the bishop said that the President would not only uphold the principles of transparency and participatory governance, but also affirm his commitment to all the welfare of all Filipinos.
In a separate interview in March, Lacson asked why the opposition was raised only now, and not during the deliberations of NIR by both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Diocese of Dumaguete covers the towns and cities from Basay in the south to Jimalalud in the north, and the entire island-province of Siquijor. | GB
