ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. is not one to shy away from challenges or responsibilities.
The speculation about his potential nomination to become the next chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Western Visayas follows Iloilo City mayor Jerry Treñas’ statement that he would nominate Defensor for the chairmanship upon the reorganization of the RDC due to the establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR).
Currently, Bacolod City’s Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez holds the position.
“Well, I’m honored by Mayor Jerry Treñas’ intention, but we will see how it goes. If there are challenges presented to us, we will not decline them. It depends on the council of the RDC and the direction it takes. We are always there to help, whether as chairman or not,” Defensor said.
Defensor clarified that the RDC chairmanship is an elected, not appointed, position.
“But we are not one to back down from a challenge or responsibility if it is given to us,” he added.
In a broader context, Defensor welcomed the creation of the NIR, which separates Negros Occidental and Bacolod City from Region 6 and Negros Oriental and Siquijor from Region 7, as stipulated in Republic Act No. 12000 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on June 13, 2024.
He said the establishment of NIR would streamline governance and enhance administrative decentralization.
Defensor, who pushed for the NIR when he was a congressman as part of the Visayan bloc, expressed his satisfaction with the region’s establishment after a long journey. He reassured that Iloilo’s commercial and familial ties with Negros Occidental would remain unaffected.
“Our ties with Negros will not change; they will remain our relatives. My mother is from Negros, and I’m sure many of you also have kin there,” said Defensor./PN
