Bacolod City – Officials in Negros are in high spirits after the Philippine Senate unanimously approved, on its third and final reading, the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR) during a plenary session on recently.
“A promise fulfilled, a challenge up ahead,” was how Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson described the approval of NIR by 22 senators, almost a year after it was approved by the House of Representatives.
The proposed Negros Island Region (NIR) will be composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental, which belongs to Region 6, along with Negros Oriental and Siquijor, which are under Region 7.
Lacson said the passage of the much long-awaited bill is “historic and a game changer.”
The NIR was initially established in 2015 through Executive Order No. 183 by the late President Benigno Aquino III but was subsequently abolished in 2017 through Executive Order No. 38, which was issued by his successor, Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
In a statement, Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez, who chairs the Association of Chief Executives of Negros Occidental, said the approval of Senate Bill 2507, known as “An Act Establishing the Negros Island Region,” will “unlock the boundless development potential for One Negros Region.”
“The overwhelming support from the Senate with 22 affirmative votes and zero negative or abstention shows how important this historic move was, not only to every Negrosanon, but to the whole nation as well,” Benitez said.
He also noted that last year’s unanimous approval of the counterpart bill House Bill 7355 at the Lower House “heralded the widespread acceptance of the reorganized Negros Island Region.”
Benitez also thanked the lawmakers from the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“We fervently pray in solidarity and humbly petition His Excellency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to hear the people of Negros in our desire to live and prosper as one region,” he added.
Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer said “this is what we have been waiting for. This is what we asked from the sitting president during the 2022 campaign period. This is the fulfillment of everyone’s dream here in Negros, to be united and not separated by seas anymore.”
Negros Occidental Fourth District Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer, said “Finally, the dream of a Negros Island Region will become a reality.”
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez commended the dedication and commitment of all the senators towards the progress and unity of Negros Island. “Together, we forge ahead for a brighter future,” he said.
Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, who co-authored the NIR bill in the House of Representatives, described its passage as a monumental step forward.
Thanking all the senators for their unwavering support, especially Senators Ejercito and Zubiri, Benitez said “this is a great milestone for all Negrenses in our dream for a united and prosperous Negros.” (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star)