By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
NEGROS Oriental governor Roel Degamo can’t be shaken by anyone because of his stance against the re-proposed Region 18 or Negros Island Region (NIR).
In a one-on-one interview in Dumaguete City on Jan. 18, Gov. Roel turned wordsmith as he enumerated his “fail-safe” contentions why he’s against NIR.
And here are what he said:
* “NIR ain’t developmentally beneficial to Negros Oriental.”
* “Why fix an already fixed thing.”
* “Economic consequences in terms of voting power, we are on the disadvantage side.”
* “Negros Oriental is booming with Region 7 (Central Visayas).”
* “We enjoy stable economy with Region 7, so why gamble with Region 18”.
* “No gusot, no punit, so no need tahiin.”
* “NIR will cost the national government P36 billion that’ll include infrastructures and staffing.”
* “We’ve already established relationship and friendship with Cebuano-speaking people, so why destroy it.”
* “NIR, for me, will only cost trouble in this little island in terms of economic and social development.”
‘ME AGAINST THE WORLD’
Sans pretentions, Gov. Roel admitted that his current position in this controversial NIR is a classic case of “me against the world.”
“Yes, I am the last man standing here. But I don’t care,” he stressed. “I have my people with me so I will stand strong.”
Too, he added, “I know God is with me, including our brilliant people from the academe and private sector here in Dumaguete.”
Moreover, the governor believes that, despite of everything, he knows both Congress and Senate will take time to listen to his contentions.
“And whatever happens, still, I believe everything will go back to the Local Government Code.”
“Kasi, bakit tayo mag-NIR na wala naman tayong problema or baka magka-problema lang tayo,” he stressed.
‘DEHADO’
Meanwhile, the Oriental, explained by Gov. Degamo, will only be “dehado” or underdog when NIR pushes through.
Why?
Occidental has seven congressmen and 14 cities.
Oriental, on the other hand, has only three congressmen and three cities.
“So as to the voting power later, Occidental will always prevail over us,” Gov. Roel furthered.
Asked if he’d already talked to all the Negros solons both in the Occidental and Oriental, Gov. Roel said, “Not yet!”
“But I am more than willing to sit down with them and I hope they’ll also listen to my reasons,” he said.
This, as the governor bared they’re already preparing their opposition paper to be submitted to Congress’ Technical Working Group (TWG).
However, on January 10, the House Committee on Local Government approved a substitute bill seeking the creation of NIR, which will include the island-province of Siquijor.
Such a substitute bill was introduced by Occidental’s 3rd District Rep. Kiko Benitez alongside Cong. Gerardo Valmayor, Jr. (1st District), Alfredo Maranon, Jr. (2nd District), Juliet Marie Ferrer (4th District), Dino Yulo (5th District), Mercedez Alvarez-Lansang (6th District), Greg Gasataya (Lone District of Bacolod) and Joseph Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod).
Then, representatives from the Office of the President, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Interior and Local Government, offices of the governors of Negros Occidental and Oriental and Siquijor and office of the mayor of Bacolod City, and all the elected members of the House of Representatives will form a TWG.
With this, Gov. Roel is optimistic that he can lay down all his contentions vis-a-vis’.
ALWAYS WELCOME
Gov. Roel, meanwhile, said he welcomes Occidental’s Gov. Bong Lacson to talk to him in Dumaguete.
“Yes, I will listen to Gov. Bong and hope he’ll listen to me, too.”
Gov. Bong earlier said he’ll explore possibilities of convincing Gov. Roel to support NIR.
Their meeting will happen anytime soon.
Well, the rebirth of NIR is (now) a much-talked issue among Negrense people both in the Occidental and Oriental. Twelve Negros solons push a unified bill for this purpose.
NIR was first born on May 29, 2015 during the incumbency of then President Noynoy Aquino.
But on Aug. 9, 2017, it was abolished by then President Rodrigo Duterte due to fund lack.
Now, with President Bongbong Marcos, Jr., everyone is hopeful for the realization of this NIR.
But with Gov. Roel’s current stance, it is as if the re-proposed NIR won’t be a “walk in the park”./PN
