• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
With the anticipated signing on creation of Negros Island Region into a law, opposition against it has been raised by Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes.
While they may come up with a position, I’m just wondering why they are coming up with it now. Why not when it was deliberated in both Houses of Congress, Lacson asked.
In an interview with the local media in Dumaguete City, Cortes said the passage of the NIR is “an insult to the people.”
“There is a strong opposition. And our congressmen are supposed to represent the voice of the people, I believe,” the bishop added.
All the three Negros Oriental solons joined their seven colleagues in Negros Occidental, as well as Siquijor, in sponsoring the bill creating Negros Island Region.
Cortes further said that they will be coming up with a statement, with regards to the NIR creation, which they will have to discuss thoroughly.
Negros Occidental 6th district Rep. Mercedes Alvarez disclosed on Saturday that the NIR bill will be transmitted to Malacañang next month, for signing into law by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Lacson said that a vast majority are in favor of the creation of the NIR.
Asked if the opposition will delay the signing of NIR into law, he said that with the leadership of Senate president Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Juan Victor Ejercito, who went all out to have the bill approved, “I am sure they will also convince the President of the favorable impact of NIR creation.”
The proposed new region in Visayas will be composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and island province of Siquijor.*
