BACOLOD City – To synchronize regional security measures with national directives, the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Western Visayas announced plans to convene a meeting with both the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) and the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC).
During RDC’s 2nd Quarter 2024 Regular Full Council meeting yesterday, chairman Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez emphasized the importance of this collaboration.
“Our objective is to prepare comprehensively for any potential emergencies, including calamities, ensuring our readiness for any eventuality,” said Benitez.
The forthcoming meeting aims to foster a unified approach to regional security, encompassing peace, food security, energy, and other critical needs. Mayor Benitez cited the region’s aspiration to be self-reliant and resilient in the face of challenges.
Additionally, the mayor addressed his continuing role as chairman of the RDC amidst the enactment of the Negros Island Region (NIR).
With the technical working group fervently drafting the final touches to the NIR, Mayor Benitez indicated that his tenure might conclude with the operationalization of the new region.
“We are awaiting the full operational status of the newly established region. There is no resignation from my current role until the council’s activities are fully transitioned,” he clarified.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo shared an optimistic view on the transition, likening it to a familial expansion rather than a separation.
“This isn’t a divorce; it’s akin to your child getting married – it’s an addition,” Benitez conveyed from their conversation.
The proposal also includes renaming NIR to potentially the Negros and Siquijor Island Region (NASIR), reflecting a broader inclusive strategy by incorporating Siquijor into the region’s framework./PN
