• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Siquijor should not be left behind in the ongoing transition towards the full operationalization of the Negros Island Region, reelectionist senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino said Feb. 20.
Tolentino, who was with other senatorial candidates of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas in a rally in Dumaguete City, said Siquijor should also get support and assistance under the NIR set up.
The newest administrative region is composed of the highly-urbanized Bacolod City and Negros Occidental province from Western Visayas, and Negros Oriental and Siquijor from Central Visayas.
It is expected to be fully operational next year with the budget set to be included in the 2026 General Appropriations Act.
Tolentino said that, as one of the authors of the NIR law that was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in June last year, he fully supports the ongoing transition to the newest region.
“Dapat unahin ang mga structure, tapusin ang PNP Regional Office (to ensure peace and security), and transfer of (agencies),” he stressed. “And gusto ko, magkaroon din ng biyaya at tulong ang Siquijor. It should not be left behind.”
Tolentino also said he will push for measures to strengthen national security and work to scrap the value-added tax on electricity if given a fresh mandate in the Senate.
Comebacking senator Manny Pacquiao, meanwhile, said he is also committed to the NIR operations.
He added that he will push for the approval of his bill on public housing and sustainable livelihood, not only for Negrenses but for all Filipinos.
He said it has always been his advocacy to provide housing for his poor and homeless kababayans.
“That will be my focus, for this bill to be approved and allocated a budget for the benefit of our kababayans,” Pacquiao, known as the People’s Champ, stressed. | CGC
