The absence of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo Saturday from a forum in Mabinay on the proposed Negros Island Region obviously shows he is still not supporting the move, Negros Occidental Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said yesterday.

“His absence would say that he is maintaining his position against the one island one region,” the vice governor said.

As Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon has said, “We can never convince someone who is already set on not agreeing to the proposition,” Lacson added.

Being proposed is the creation of a Negros Island region composed of Negros Occidental that is currently part of Western Visayas, and Negros Oriental that is part of Central Visayas.

On the statement of Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor that Iloilo is saddened that Negros Occidental no longer wants to be a part of Western Visayas, Lacson said “That is natural, if you’ve lived in one house for so many years, when a member of that house leaves of course, there will be some sense of sadness.”

“But the cooperation of the two (Iloilo and Negros Occidental) provinces will continue even if we succeed in creating the Negros Island Region,” he said.

“We will still coordinate and cooperate with Region 6 if we want development to continue,” he said.

“Time will always heal wounds,” he added.

Former Rep. Carlos Cojuangco (Neg. Occ., 4th District) told ABS-CBN he is personally is in favor of the island region plan, but if there is healthy trade and cooperation we don’t really need that.*CPG

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