BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The creation of Region VI-B, comprising Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, has the backing of all mayors of Negros island.
This was revealed yesterday in separate radio interviews by Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez and Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr, who discussed the proposed unification of two Negros provinces, to be joined by Siquijor, during a meeting at Malacañang last week, upon the invitation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The meeting was also attended by Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves.
There is no opposition to the inclusion of Siquijor in the proposed Region VI-B creation, Benitez said.
At present, Negros Occidental belongs to Region VI, while Negros Oriental and Siquijor are under Region VII.
House Bill 1446, which calls for the creation of Region VI-B was filed at the House of Representatives, jointly sponsored by Negros Island solons.
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri also said that revival of Negros Island Region was among the 10 priority bills he filed at the Senate.
Zubiri said he will fight for NIR restoration until it becomes law.
Negros Island Region, which was created through an executive order issued by the late President Benigno Aquino III in 2016, was revoked by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017.*
