- GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday said he is hoping that Senator Imee Marcos will support the creation of the Negros Island Region, “if she cares for Negros”.
In her visit Friday in Negros Occidental, Marcos said that while she does not have a position yet on the NIR proposal, its creation should be “economically viable”.
“I think we have to listen before making decisions,” Marcos said.
Lacson said the doubts of the senator is “an old line of reasoning that has been used before”.
“While it may be costly, the economic impact on both provinces is tremendous,” the Negros Occidental governor pointed out.
The proposed establishment of the NIR also includes the Siquijor island province.
The Senate Committee on Local Government, chaired by Senator JV Ejercito, is now deliberating on the proposal, after it was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives middle of this year.
Lacson said he is optimistic that the creation of the new region in the Visayas will be pushed or realized during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
However, Lacson said “it should happen not later than June 2024, otherwise, election 2025 will be the focus.”/GB
