- GILBERT BAYORAN
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Monday that Negros Occidental is willing give the chairmanship of the Regional Development Council to Gov. Roel Degamo, should Negros Island Region becomes a reality.
“We’re willing to give that. There’s no problem,” Lacson said, in response to one of the demands of Degamo for “equal footing” under the NIR setup.
Lacson also said that giving the RDC chairmanship to Negros Oriental was suggested during his meeting with the business sector in Negros Occidental.
“They can even be in history of being the first RDC chairman, just to show them that Negros Occidental is here to help its members and for all provinces under NIR to progress equally,” he stressed.
As to the assignment of regional offices, Lacson recalled that the two provinces came into an agreement which offices will be based in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
But since the NIR proposal now includes Siquijor, Lacson said the island province should also be taken into consideration. “Having three provinces, we have to consider Siquijor,” he added.
“I don’t think he (Degamo) would be throwing his weight around,” he further said.
“It’s more of us assuring both provinces that we will have a fair share of development under the new region,” Lacson said./GB
