• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
“Siquijor should not be left behind in the establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR),” Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino said during a political rally in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental on Thursday.
“I want Siquijor to also receive help, as well as blessings with the establishment of NIR. It should not be left behind,” said Tolentino, a former professor of the Law Department of Siliman University, and one of the authors of the bill creating the NIR.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. signed Republic Act 1200 or An Act Establishing Negros Island Region on June 13, 2024, which covers Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
Tolentino said that aside from strengthening national security, among his priorities is to remove the 10 percent value added tax (VAT) in electricity. Sections 118 and 119 of the Internal Revenue Code should be amended, therefore lowering the prices of electricity, including basic goods.
“When I get to sit in the Senate, l will also push for Senate Bill 2463 or an Act providing for free public housing program, which l have filed before,” he said.
Tolentino said his focus is for the bill to be provided a budget and implemented, because it is his advocacy to provide housing to the homeless.*
