IN THE QUIET corners of coffee shops, coffee cuppers stirred their NIR blend while discussing the future of Negros Island.
There has been a soft but persistent conversation in town about the proposed Negros Island Region, which would encompass Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. It’s a topic that has sparked interest and concerns among locals.
For a long time, Negros Island has been a part of Western Visayas (Region 6), alongside the provinces of Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique. On the other side of the coin is Central Visayas (Region 7), which includes Negros Oriental, Cebu, Siquijor, and Bohol as its group of provinces.
These regional divisions have been a matter of convenience for administrative purposes, but now, it seems change is on the horizon.
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As the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, coffee drinkers from all walks of life poured their respective blends of beans into their cups, but their discussions were focused on more than just coffee. They were sharing their perspectives on the proposed changes and their potential impact.
One voice in the cafe chimed in, “Iloilo insists on retaining the regional offices of all government agencies and corporate entities. It’s merely a 90-minute sea journey from Negros Occidental. You could leave in the morning, attend to various errands, and sail back to Bacolod seaport by late afternoon,” said a lawyer. “It’s remarkably comfortable and convenient,” he added.
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“Consider Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental,” another voice joined in. “They are separated, but crossing the islands by sea takes merely 20 minutes via a roro vessel. It’s an easy ride or drive to and from, and both regions share the common dialect of Cebuano or Bisaya,” added the lawyer.
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However, not everyone at the table was convinced. A banker expressed concerns, “What happens if Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental are merged? Is traveling to each province as easy and convenient as Negrenses going to Panay Island or Cebuano-speaking Pinoys crossing Dumaguete and Cebu? We see the stress that Negrenses face when traveling to NegOr by land.”
The banker continued, “If you’re traveling from Bacolod, you have to use your private vehicle for a five-hour drive to reach Dumaguete City via Mabinay town and Bais City. To conduct business, you have to stay overnight and spend at least two thousand pesos or more.”
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Another businessman at the table raised an important point, “If a Negrense does not speak or understand the Cebuano dialect, how easy would it be for them to conduct business deals in the regional government offices? What if you travel from Bacolod to a regional government office based in Dumaguete City, and the person in charge is on leave? Does that mean the Negrense has to drive back or take the Ceres bus back home without accomplishing anything?”
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The lawyer, sipping his coffee, added, “It’s true. The basic concern of land travel alone could hurt the pockets of a private motorist, requiring around five thousand pesos to fuel their car, not to mention expenses for food and accommodation for a good night’s sleep. Do the politicians ever think about this basic concern? Will the government establish regional offices in both provinces? That seems unlikely.”
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One engineer at the table provided a practical perspective, “Consider this: if you take the Ceres air-conditioned bus from Bacolod very early in the morning and arrive in Dumaguete before noon, you’ve already lost valuable work hours. You can only conduct business in the afternoon, making it impossible to finish your tasks and drive back the same day.”
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As the conversation continued, it became evident that travel was the most significant concern if politicians insisted on uniting Negros Island.
For many, it seemed like a distant dream, especially for those who would have to navigate these challenges. They lamented that politicians often had access to luxurious vehicles, with fuel expenses covered by taxpayers’ money.
Amidst the clinking of coffee cups and the hum of conversation, a businessman posed a final question, “Is there no referendum on this Negros Island plan of the politicos? Shouldn’t they consult the citizenry to determine if it is in the best interest of the majority in the two provinces? Is this the will of the people, or merely the dream of a few elected officials who may leave their posts just before the Negros Island dream comes true?”
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The lawyer leaned back, taking a thoughtful sip of his Americano coffee, “This dream isn’t a permanent burden on the politicians, but on their constituents. They must carefully consider the benefits and disadvantages. Let us hope for the best for this Island dream.”
With the last drop of Americano coffee consumed, the patrons left the cafe, leaving their thoughts and concerns about Negros Island’s future lingering in the air./PN
