NIR Act nears completion with President’s support – Zubiri

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri has announced that the Negros Island Region (NIR) Act is nearly finalized, expressing confidence that it will receive President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s signature as a key priority of his administration.

Following a meeting with the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), Zubiri assured that the Act, which aims to unify the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor into a single administrative region, enjoys robust support from district representatives and local officials.

Currently, Negros Occidental is part of Region VI, while Negros Oriental and Siquijor are within Region VII, with regional centers located in Iloilo and Cebu. Zubiri, with family ties to Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, has been a staunch advocate for the NIR, emphasizing the need for more accessible government services without the burden of long-distance travel for the people of Negros.

With the House of Representatives concurring with the Senate’s version of the NIR Act, Zubiri remains optimistic about the Act’s enactment, anticipating the President’s sign-off. He acknowledged the concerted efforts of Negros representatives and local officials, including governors Eugenio Jose Lacson, Chaco Sagarbarria, and Jake Vincent Villa, alongside Senator JV Ejercito, in refining the bill.

Anticipation is high among Negros Occidental officials for the bill’s ratification, potentially ahead of the President’s State of the Nation Address in July.