BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Even Vice President Leni Robredo wants the restoration of Negros Island Region (NIR).
When NIR was formed and established, Robredo said it was a big opportunity for both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental to finally plan as an island region, such as management of natural resources and disaster as one, among many others.
But NIR, which was created through an executive order issued by the late President Beningo Aquino III, was abolished by President Rodrigo Duterte, when he assumed office in 2016.
Now that the two Negros provinces have been separated again, with regional centers different from each other, Robredo said there is a likelihood of different approaches to be applied in addressing the same disasters that may hit the island, among other problems.
So, she added, there is a need to revive the NIR.
From 2016 to 2022, it was really a lost opportunity for everyone, since Negros managed already to take off as one island region, Robredo said.
Negrense lawyer Alex Lacson, who is among the 12 senatorial candidates of Robredo-Senator Kiko Pangilinan tandem, earlier said that he will support the proposal to revive NIR, which was also re-echoed by Negros Occidental 5th district congressional aspirant Emilio “Dino” Yulo, a former vice governor of the province.
Robredo also mentioned in her press conference that sugar industry and power will be among the top issues that the national government can extend help to Negrenses.
She noted that the target set by the sugar industry has not been achieved due to lack of support from the government, despite the creation of a sugar road map, while prices of fertilizers and electricity are also going up
Negros Occidental has a road map in going to renewables, with an oversupply of power, yet the opportunity has not been harnessed, because there are many things to be fixed, including the power grid, its prices and national policy on it, Robredo said.
The problem is systemic, not just a function of leadership, the vice president stressed.*
