• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The establishment of Negros Island Region, which was already approved by the House of Representatives, is among the 42 priority legislative measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Council (LEDAC) headed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
In a statement, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil disclosed that 20 of the 42 legislative measures are targeted to be passed before year-end.
LEDAC serves as a consultative and advisory body to the President, on certain programs and policies essential to the realization of the goals of the Philippine economy.
The NIR creation is now due for deliberation by the Senate committee on Local Government chaired by Senator JV Ejercito.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson welcomed the news that the NIR bill is scheduled for discussion in the Senate.
Lacson also got information that Negros Oriental Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarria is leaning towards the NIR revival, contrary to the stand of his predecessor, the late Gov. Roel Degamo.
He bared plans to give Sagarbarria a call to discuss the NIR, instead of visiting him personally.*
