BACOLOD City – The reestablishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) should not be solely based on its economic viability.
Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson insisted on this yesterday morning after Sen. Imee Marcos said that setting up a new region is an economic effort.
On Friday, Marcos pointed out that government agencies would need to set up new regional offices.
“If that’s the basis, we will never have the chance,” Lacson admitted.
Lacson cited the creation of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, which also costs “a lot of money” to set up.
“I am hoping that with the help of those who committed, especially among the senators, finally see the light of having an NIR,” Lacson said.
Marcos, meanwhile, issued a statement late Sunday night clarifying that she never stated being “not keen” on the move to revive the NIR.
“We need to convince the economic managers that putting NIR back on the map is viable,” she said, adding that it requires further and updated study as no new data has been presented to the Senate.
She said that she is very much aware of the issues surrounding the NIR’s passage, especially as late governors Alfredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental and Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental presented the matters to her when they were together as members of the League of Governors. (Watchmen Daily Journal)
