• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Malacañang has designated Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson as the first chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council for Negros Island Region (NIR).
Lacson also previously chaired RPOC Western Visayas, prior to the establishment of the NIR, which is composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and highly urbanized Bacolod City.
Lacson said he was informed of his appointment as RPOC chairman for NIR by Interior and Local Government Secretary Junvic Remulla. However, his successor as RPOC chairman for Western VIsayas is yet to be named by Malacañang.
On the other hand, the appointment of PBrig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay as officer-in-charge of the Police Regional Office NIR also took effect yesterday.
With regard to the incoming chairperson of the Regional Development Council for NIR, Lacson said there is no news yet.*
