Church leaders urge veto on Negros Island Region Bill

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Bishop and various church officials in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental are petitioning President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to veto the legislation that proposes the reconstitution of the Negros Island Region (NIR).

Bishop Julito Cortes from the Dumaguete diocese shared a public statement via Facebook on March 25, 2024, appealing directly to President Marcos.

The bishop expressed the diocese’s deep concerns, stating, “It is with utmost concern that we are sharing the official stand of the Diocese of Dumaguete with as many people as possible while waiting for the response of the President so the public will be aware of the bill and its serious implications on their lives.”

In their correspondence, the church leaders highlighted the bill’s intentions as obscure to the public, hence their heartfelt plea to the President for reconsideration.

“Our plea is not born of mere dissent but rather from a sense of duty to safeguard the future of our province,” they emphasized.

Furthermore, they criticized the bill’s enactment process, citing insufficient dissemination of information and lack of meaningful engagement with the various sectors and stakeholders of Negros Oriental.

The group also voiced concerns about potential exacerbated inequities, with Negros Oriental potentially at a disadvantage due to its smaller number of districts and cities compared to Negros Occidental.

The plea comes in light of President Marcos Jr.’s recent visit to Bacolod City, where he indicated his intent to sign the bill, acknowledging the logistical hurdles faced by Negros Oriental in receiving services from the current regional hub.

President Marcos Jr. highlighted the rationale behind the push for re-establishing the NIR, pointing to the benefits of localized regional offices and improved service delivery.

“The push to unite into one region is crucial, and it’s a sensible idea for that reason alone—to have our own regional offices,” he added.

Confronted by reporters regarding his stance, the President affirmed, “I think I will sign it,” signaling potential executive endorsement for the region’s reformation.