Bacolod City – The House committee on Appropriations recently approved the funding provisions of the Negros Island Region, said Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, one of its authors.
Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occidental), described the approval as a “momentous step in the right direction,” as the bill moves further in the legislative mill.
This is a step closer to realizing our dream of creating a Negros Island Region, he stressed.
The proposed new region of Visayas, authored by all Negros Island solons, includes the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
It was explained during the Committee Appropriations hearing that what was approved includes the initial funding requirement for its implementation, which will be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Following its approval, the proposed NIR bill is expected to be deliberated in the plenary for second reading.
Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, who also co-authored the NIR bill, said “we are very happy with the approval of NIR by the Committee on Appropriations. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)