Palace exec favors NIR revival

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Manuelito Luna said he is in favor of giving the abrogated Negros Island Region (NIR) a chance.

Luna, who was here for the Balangayan 2019: Constitutional Reform Provincial Roadshow, said that if the President will reconsider his decision in shelving NIR, this will help reduce the problems and burdens of the national government.

President Rodrigo Duterte dissolved the NIR, which was created by the previous administration, citing lack of funds.

Luna said that there are two kinds of autonomous regions in the country – the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARM) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

He said the BARM operates like a semi-federal state.

Luna added that they hope it will survive because this will serve as a template for their shift later on to a federal form of government if the people want it.

“This is not their decision, but this will be the decision of everybody who will vote during a plebiscite once there is already a proposal.” he further said.

Luna said that the NIR may be considered because of the uniqueness of the two Negros provinces, he said.

A former lawyer of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Luna said he knows the culture of Negrenses.

He also said that if NIR is revived, it will help reduce the problems of the national government as it will only focus on Bicol, Metro Manila, and other places like Cebu and other federated states.

“The problem will be reduced because the Negrenses want to contribute through being autonomous,” he said.