NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (PIA) — Political leaders here thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for creating the Negros Island Region.
The region will compose the provinces of Negros Occidental which is currently under Region 6, Negros Oriental, and the Island of Siquijor which are currently under Region 7.
Negros Occidental Third District Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez thanked the President and the lawmakers that crafted the law.
He also thanked Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senators Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, the governors of Negros Oriental and Siquijor, and all District Representatives of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
“This welcome development will undoubtedly lead to positive impacts on the maintenance of internal security, peace and order, environmental management, disaster risk reduction, tourism promotion, integrated development planning, and easier access to regional offices,” Rep. Benitez added.
Moreover, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he is deeply grateful that this aspiration, more than three decades in the making and spanning the terms of six governors of the province has finally come to fruition.
“We thank His Excellency, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., for making our hope a reality. To Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Senators Migz Zubiri and JV Ejercito, the Governors of Negros Oriental and Siquijor, and all District Representatives of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, we are grateful for your resolve and commitment to making this happen,” Lacson said.
He called on Negrenses and the people in Siquijor to work together and transform the two islands to become a model for good governance.
For his part, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez expressed elation over the signing of bills to the region.
“I am grateful to President BBM for approving the long-awaited creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR), comprising Occidental and Oriental Negros and the province of Siquijor,” he said.
Benitez sees economic opportunities, additional employment, and efficient governance for the people of Negros Island and Siquijor. (AAL/Lljr PIA6 Negros Occ.)
