Negros Occidental and Oriental officials will hold a consultation dialog on the proposed creation of a one-island region at the Nature’s Village Resort Hotel in Talisay City this morning.

Negros Oriental Vice Governor Edward Mark Macias yesterday said his province supports the move for a one-island region, but while the lengthy process for its creation is being pursued, they can, in the meantime, already broaden areas of cooperation with Negros Occidental.

The creation of a one-island region will require a congressional act and Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. had earlier said he believes the congressmen of both provinces will support the move.

Negros Occidental belongs to Region VI (Western Visayas), while Negros Oriental belongs to Region VII (Central Visayas).

Most of the regional offices of Region VI are located in Iloilo City in Panay Island, while those of Region VII are in Cebu Island.

The creation of the one-island region will place regional centers and offices in Negros, making them more accessible to the Oriental and Occidental provinces, and hasten socio economic development of the island, Macias said.

Macias also said Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo also supports the one-island region move, and may attend today’s consultation. Macias and other members of the Negros Oriental SP were already in Bacolod yesterday for the opening of the Panaad sa Negros 2014.

Negros is the fourth largest island in the Philippines, it makes sense that it becomes one region, he said.

Macias said he hopes that dream will someday become a reality.

But while efforts are being undertaken for an island region, he pointed out that both provinces have already been cooperating in several areas.

He cited joint efforts in integrated water resource management and in the operation of two hospitals at the borders of both provinces.

Perhaps they can broaden cooperation in areas like disasters preparedness, too, he said.

Former Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, who had pushed for the island region with the late Negros Oriental Gov. Emilio Macias, the father of the vice governor, said the move is not going to be easy, but it’s worth a try.

“We’ve always suffered a lack of attention from regional offices, the main beneficiaries have always been the regional centers in Iloilo and Cebu,” Coscolluela said.

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, in his welcome message at the opening of the Panaad sa Negros, said the creation of the one-island region needs the help of the congressmen of the island.

A one island region will bring progress to both Negros Occidental and Oriental, Lacson said.*CPG

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