Officials of the two Negros provinces yesterday set a timetable for the campaign on the creation of a one-island region that will include the passage of resolutions from the barangays up, an island-wide summit, and a lobby for congressional and presidential support.

“The creation of a Negros Island region is on its way,” said former Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela, who presided over the dialog called by Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Nature’s Village Resort Hotel in Talisay City.

Rep. George Arnaiz (Neg. Or., 2nd District), Vice Governor Edward Mark Macias and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Negros Oriental aired their support for the one-island region proposal at the dialog.

The Neg. Or. SP, in a special session over lunch yesterday in Talisay, also passed a resolution renewing their support for the one-island region plan, Macias said.

Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, who was unable to attend the dialog, also supports the move, Macias added.

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 Negros officials hope that, with the creation of the island-region regional offices can be established at the border of Occidental in Kabankalan City and in Mabinay on the Oriental side.

The Negros officials agreed to solicit resolutions of support for the move from all of the barangays, towns, cities, councilors’ leagues and provincial development councils of both provinces, with the deadline for submission set in June after which a summit will be held, Coscolluela said.

The summit is expected to be participated in by officials, including, congressmen, from both provinces, the National Economic Development Authority and representatives from the private sector to draw up a road map for the creation of the island-region, he added.

Coscolluela said even if the creation of the island-region does not happen right away, the officials of both provinces yesterday said they are prepared to work together immediately to act as one region on joint projects, anyway.

‘I am really happy there is a unanimous consensus,” he said.

“The rationale is very clear, there are more than enough reasons for us to work together as one region,” he said, from the environment, politics, the economy to peace and order.

Coscolluela said there is a need to tap the help of former Gov. Daniel Lacson, who, together with the late Negros Oriental Gov. Emilio Macias, began the talks for a island-region.

Lacson is one of the island’s weapons in terms of political influence, he said. He is currently the chairman of the Government Service Insurance System.

Marañon said that, after the resolutions of support for the island-region are complete and a summit is held before the end of June, he will seek an audience with President Benigno Aquino to present to him the clamor of the people of Negros.

The governor noted that while in the past, the NEDA had opposed the creation of the island-region because of the cost. “Nowadays, the national government should not have a problem with funding with the Bureau of Internal Revenue collections up,” he said.

Arnaiz said he is optimistic the congressmen who are members of the Visayas bloc will support the creation of the island region that needs an act of congress.

The Visayas bloc will take the matter up in its next meeting, he said.

But “We have to convince the President this is good for us” for the island-region plan to succeed,” he said.

“Gov. Marañon is very optimistic he can talk to the President about this,” Arnaiz said.

He said both provinces have already been working together in joint organic agriculture, hospital, road, and bridge projects, and needs to also collaborate on environment protection.

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson also expressed optimism that the island - region plan can move forward.

Board Member Salvador Escalante of Negros Occidental said that, perhaps, the President will consider supporting the island-region move with the 2016 elections fast approaching, with both Negros Occidental and Oriental having 3 million voters.

Negros Occidental police director, Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan, and Col. Jon Aying,commander of the Army’s 303rd Brigade, said a island-region would be an advantage in peace and order efforts, as it would mean better and swifter coordination.*CPG

back to top