DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — The group of local businessmen in Negros Oriental lauded Pres. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his three proposed flagship projects in the province to be implemented under the re-established Negros Island Region (NIR).
Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) president Edward Du said this is the best time to carry out major infrastructure projects in the province.
Pres. Marcos announced during his latest visit here on June 27 that the government will spearhead the construction of the New Dumaguete Airport Project with estimated cost of P17 billion.
He also announced the establishment of the Dumaguete City Super Family Health Center with an estimated cost of P15 billion, and the expansion of the Dumaguete Port.
“Timing gud kaayo ning NIR, kay kung naa siya’y gusto ipa-implement dire naa man dire ang mga regional director. So ang processing sa papers will be definitely be faster and easier. Murag ma-fast track na gud ni,” Du said.
(The timing of NIR is perfect. If there is something the President would want to implement here, he can do so because there are regional directors assigned here. The processing of papers will also be faster and easier. These projects could be fast-tracked.)
Du added that the local business chamber is optimistic on the future development projects that will be implemented in Negros Oriental.
“Aside from the airport, seaport, we will have more big projects like eco zones, retirement zones, even tourism economic zones. Kaning tanan, we need a RDC (Regional Development Council) approval. Kung dili atoa ang regional director, lisod ni kaayo. Compared to Cebu, kumingking man ta,” he added.
(Aside from the airport, seaport, we will have more big projects like eco zones, retirement zones, even tourism economic zones. All of these require approval from the Regional Development Council. This will be difficult for us if the regional director is not from here. We are little compared to Cebu.)
The President signed Republic Act 12000 on June 13, which re-established the NIR and combined the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
NIR was first established in 2015 under the administration of then Pres. Noynoy Aquino through an executive order but was dissolved in 2017 under the administration of former Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
In his speech on June 27, Pres. Marcos said re-establishing NIR aims to bring better services to Negrenses and Siquijodnons.
“Sa tulong ng NIR, magkakaroon kayo ng magandang pagkakataon upang lalong mapaunlad ang inyong rehiyon at [maihatid] ang maayos at epektibong serbisyo sa ating mamamayan. Magiging mas madali po ang paghahatid ng serbisyo mula sa national government dahil hindi na ganoon kalayo, at hindi na mahirap makapunta sa mga regional offices na kailangan natin puntahan paminsan-minsan,” he said.
(We have an opportunity under NIR to further develop your region and bring services effectively to its people. The delivery of services from the national government will be faster because you would no longer need to travel far just to get to the regional offices, which you have to visit once in a while.)
Du said another advantage of re-establishing NIR is that it would promote the ease of doing business.
“Ang atoang businessmen and even our foreign investors dili na maglisod in processing their licenses and permits. The NIR will help ease the cost or fast track the processing of licensing and permits kay dire naman ang regional offices in Dumaguete. Kana lang daan is our biggest advantage,” Du said.
(It will be easier for our businessmen and even our foreign investors to process their licenses and permits. The NIR will help ease the cost of fast track it because some regional offices will be located in Dumaguete City. That alone is the biggest advantage for us.) (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)
