• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Island Region (NIR), once signed into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is expected to boost the economy of 5th district of Negros Occidental, yesterday disclosed Rep. Emilio “Dino” Yulo.
Both House of Representatives and Philippine Senate have recently approved the creation of NIR, which will be composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, as well as the island province of Siquijor.
Yulo said that five of the six local government units in the 5th district of Negros Occidental have borders with the Negros Oriental side.
Just imagine, if we are able to create gateways to Negros Oriental, the transport of products will be made easier, and the economy of the concerned local government units will further improve, stressed Yulo, who spoke at the opening rites of Magayon Hinuptanan Festival in Moises Padilla.
Through the efforts of Yulo and other national government agencies, ongoing road opening and concreting projects will connect Himamaylan City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Binalbagan, and Isabela to Negros Oriental.
This is on top of road concreting projects in the hinterlands of Moises Padilla and other LGUs in the 5th district, he added.
“We have areas that directly link to the Oriental side, so I believe that the fifth district will greatly benefit once the NIR is reestablished,” Yulo added.
Stressing that establishing road portals in the 5th district is part of his infrastructure program, the solon said “these road networks would not only speed up progress, but would also promote peace in the countryside.”
The Philippine Army earlier declared the dismantling of two New People’s Army guerrilla fronts in central Negros, which is the location of six 5th district LGUs.*
