• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Members of the Negros Island Region (NIR) Technical Working Group agreed to sign the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the new region within this month during the TWG’s first meeting Friday, Aug. 9 at Camp Crame in Quezon City, said Negros Occidental 5th district Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo.
The signing of IRR is being targeted between Aug. 19 and 23 this year, with the NIR Road Map up for submission to the Office of the President by Jan. 30 next year, Yulo said.
It was also agreed during the meeting to create satellite or sub regional offices in any of the three provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siqujor, he added.
Yulo said representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government, Budget and Management, and the National Economic Development Authority, were also present at the meeting.
As to the designation of NIR regional directors of various national agencies, it will be recommended by concerned cabinet secretaries to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the solon from the 5rh district of Negros Occidental said.
“The cost of transitional offices will be charged to the budget of respective national government offices, with additional financial requirements shall be requested to DBM,” Yulo said.
Also at the meeting were Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, Reps. Jose Francisco Benitez, Mercedes Alvarez, Jocelyn Limcaichong, Zaldy Villa of Siqujior, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Siquijor Gov. Jake Villa, among other representatives of NIR congressional districts, and local government units. | GB
