Bacolod City – Members of the Negros Island Region Technical Working Group are scheduled to have their first meeting next week, to be presided by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Negros Occidental 6th district Representative Mercedes Alvarez disclosed recently.
The first meeting of the TWG members, composed of representatives of DILG, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic Development Authority, three NIR governors, and solons of the newly created region, was supposed to be held on August 2.
Alvarez said that expected to be discussed in the meeting will be the Implementing Rules and Regulations of NIR, and possible amendments, if there are any.
The 6th district solon said she will push the creation of satellite offices of every regional office in other NIR provinces.
As of this time, only the Department of Health and Commission on Elections have started to set up their respective regional offices in NIR, following the appointments of their respective regional directors.
During the meeting, Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said he wants to know if there will be one area for regional offices, or if it will be divided among Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental provinces, based on the provisions of NIR Act.
What is important is that we can get the NIR started and functional, Lacson said.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, who was among the principal authors of NIR in the Senate, earlier signified his intention to join the TWG meeting, especially during the budget deliberations. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star)