By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
A PUSH for the re-establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) hit a snag anew. This time, it’s Negros Oriental’s Gov. Roel Degamo.
The reticence came after the Senate, via the Committee on Local Government led by Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, approved on first reading various bills for the re-creation of NIR week. These included Ejercito’s Senate Bill No. 1236, Sen. Migz Zubiri’s Senate Bill No. 89, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian’s Senate Bill No. 812, Sen. Bong Revilla’s Senate Bill No. 1422, and Sen. Lito Lapid’s Senate Bill No. 1469.
In the Lower House, there are also pending measures for the same purpose – Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Kiko Benitez’s House Bill No.10534, 4th District Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer’s House Bill No. 00119, 2nd District Rep. Thirdy Marañon’s House Bill No.330, and the expanded House Bill No.1446 by nine Negros Island solons.
With these numerous legislative measures both in the Senate and in the House of Representatives, Negros mayors, too, are supportive of the move to reinstitute NIR, including the island-province of Siquijor.
NIR, per record, was born through then President Noynoy Aquino’s Executive Order (EO) No. 183 in 2015. But two years after, it was abolished by Aquino’s successor, President Rodrigo Duterte through EO No. 83.
Though perceived as a “political vendetta” after Duterte lost in Negros Island in the 2016 elections, he cited fund lack as reason.
CAMPAIGN PROMISE
In this year’s May 9 national elections, however, NIR became a prominent campaign promise by congressmen and senators and those aspiring for these post.
Negrs Occidental 5th District’s Rep. Dino Yulo said the 19th Congress really vowed to work for the rebirth of NIR. Hence, everybody thought everything is smooth sailing.
But here comes Gov. Degamo boldly saying he has reservations with NIR and that he is more comfortable that his province remains with the Central Visayas region.
Such pronouncement came like a bolt of lightning.
Degamo stressed, “Maganda naman ang takbo ng ekonomiya, dito kami sa Region 7. Bakit ako mosugal doon sa NIR? Yun ang mga issues na dapat natin tingnan. Negros Oriental stands with Region 7.”
“Shallow, not solid reasoning,” commented Frank Carbon, executive director of the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI).
Edward Du, president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI), once said, “We are hopeful that this (NIR) will come to fruition this time.”
“This is to allow for easy, convenient and faster transaction with the government as well as development of Negros Island,” he added.
For his part, Bacolod City’s Mayor Albee Benitez said he respects Degamo’s decision.
Nonetheless, Benitez is pushing for the immediate establishment of Region 6-B sub-region with NegOcc and Bacolod only.
He said he already submitted his proposal to the Office of the President, Congress and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
But the Occidental solons aren’t buying Mayor Benitez’s logic. For most, it’s better to wait for the substitute bill or the final bill for this matter.
‘NOT AN OVERNIGHT THING’
For now, Cong. Dino said there’s a need to reach out to Degamo.
“We need to be clarified of the pros and cons of his (Degamo) decision. So, it’s time for all NIR proponents to reach him out.”
“But,” Cong. Dino cautioned, “let’s be prudent in dealing with him.”
This, as he stressed: “NIR is not an overnight thing.”
With so many bills in Congress and Senate now regarding NIR, Cong. Dino said it will take time for the Technical Working Group (TWG) to consolidate them.
So, predicted by Cong. Dino, the NIR will take a “long time”.
‘PROVIDENTIAL’
Some political pundits say language barrier is a potent hindrance to NIR. The “clash” of Hiligaynon and Bisaya dialects is always notable.
Yes, it could be a shallow reason, but for a Political Science professor in Bacolod, “It really matters.”
That’s the reason why the Oriental people are “hiyang” to be with Region 7; they speak the same dialect with those in Cebu and Bohol.
The same with the Occidental residents who are also “beyond confident” to be with Western Visayas still.
What’s the use of uniting Occidental and Oriental when their people could not understand one another?/PN
