Three guvs to be consulted on NIR regional centers

By Dolly  Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Francisco Benitez said the Technical Working Group on the proposed Negros Island Region (NIR) will consult the three governors of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, the provinces which will compose NIR, to decide the “best way on how to divide agencies for the regional centers.”

Benitez, who authored the NIR bill that includes Siquijor, the three governors – Eugenio Jose Lacson (Negros Occ.), Roel Degamo (Negros Or.) and Jake Vincent Villa (Siquijor) – will have to decide “what is the best way to divide agencies,” with the aim of hastening government services.

He cited that when the NIR was first established in 2015, transitional regional offices were established in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental and Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, with their budgets coming from the existing agencies.

NIR was dissolved in 2017 by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Benitez said that when the new NIR will be established, the new regional centers will have an equivalent number of people.

“It basically spreads out the per capita service of the central government across the three provinces,” he pointed out.

Earlier, the House Committee on Local Government approved a substitute bill that consolidates the bills of Benitez and Negros Occ. Reps. Alfredo Marañon III and Juliet Ferrer creating the NIR, which includes the island province of Siquijor.

The inclusion of Siquijor in the proposed new region was requested by its Gov. Villa and lone district Rep. Zaldy Villa because of its proximity to Negros Island.

Benitez said they are now waiting for an advisory from the Committee on Appropriations to start the budget deliberations of the proposed new region.

On the opposition of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo to the NIR, Benitez said “it will have its proper place.”

He further said that “at the end of the day, the three representatives of Negros Oriental have remained firm, that they want NIR, which has been a request of their constituents.”

It remains to be seen what Gov. Degamo would want, Benitez added.

He further pointed out that the bill of Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th district, Negros Occ.) gives the governor of Negros Oriental the voice to work out the details to fit whatever Gov. Degamo feels is best for his constituents.