DUMAGUETE CITY - Gov. Roel Degamo Saturday stood pat on his refusal to endorse the creation of a  Negros Island Region until a National Economic and Development Authority feasibility study on its viability is completed, even as numerous other Negros Oriental officials supporting it, stressed that it will be a boost to the local economy and a way out of poverty.

They were among the 500 Negros Occidental and Oriental officials, and representatives from the business, education, transport and nongovernment organization sectors gathered at the Negros Oriental Convention Center here for a Negros Island consultative forum.

Negros Oriental is currently part of Central Visayas and Negros Occidental belongs to Western Visayas. The proposed Negros Island Region would be composed of the Negros Oriental and Occidental provinces.

Outside the Negros Oriental Convention Center, about 50 parked tricycles bore tarpaulins with uniformly printed messages that read “No to Negros Island” and “Yes to Connect Negros-Cebu”.

Cerilo Collado, Piston (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide) provincial chairman, said they are against the creation of a Negros Island Region because it will not benefit Negros Oriental, but they support the move to connect Negros Island to Cebu.

He said the creation of the island region will only mean added cost to the government.

The drivers said government should first address their call for the abolition of the oil deregulation law, and other anti-public transport provisions.

Vice Governor Mark Macias said the protesting drivers, who later joined the consultative forum, were invited in so they could air their views and listen to the reasons for the proposed Negros Island Region.

Degamo denied suspicions by some that he was behind the drivers’ protest. “They are not my people, they have their own positions on the matter,” he said.

Degamo said he is happy with Negros Oriental being part of Central Visayas as it is “soaring high”. “We are number two in tourism in Central Visayas and  ranked eighth in the country,” he said.

He needs to know if, under a Negros Island Region, Negros Oriental could become a number one tourism destination, Degamo said.

A feasibility study is needed to determine whether the unification of both provinces will benefit Negros Oriental, as of now, there is no data on the matter, he said.

He said they should not rush in the creation of the Negros Island Region, they should wait for NEDA’s study.

Degamo also said he will submit to the will of the people of Negros Oriental.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr., reacting to Degamo’s statements, said it is hard to convince people who have already made up their minds. “As St. Paul said, for those who believe, no explanation is necessary, for those who do not believe, no explanation is possible,” he said.

Marañon said more dialogs will be conducted in Negros Oriental to make residents aware of the proposed Negros Island Region and its benefits.

He said a study conducted by Silliman University shows that 57 percent of the people in Negros Oriental are not aware of the proposed Negros Island Region.

The ball is on their side, we will just help them in the dissemination of information, he said.

Marañon said that the creation of the Negros Island Region is beyond politics, it is about “economics, progress and development of our island.”

He said Negros Occidental and Oriental have many commonalities and can do many things together, for the development of the island.

Rep. Pryde Henry (Neg. Or., 3rd District), Rep. George Arnaiz (Neg. Or., 2nd District), Rep. Leo Rafael Cueva (Neg. Occ., 2nd District), Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District), and EB Magalona Mayor David Albert Lacson – president of the Negros Occidental League of Municipalities, who joined the forum, all aired their support for the creation of the Negros Island Region.

Former Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong and Edward Du, president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also support the move.

Former Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela said more   consultations on the Negros Island Region are set in Negros Oriental, one of which will be held in Mabinay on Nov. 15.

He said the creation of a Negros Island Region is consistent with principles of sound development planning and investment programming for infrastructure, tourism development, trade and commerce, environmental protection, and disaster management.

He said a resolution asking President Benigno Aquino III to issue an executive order creating the Negros Island Region may be submitted to him by the end of the year.

The Negros Oriental League of Municipalities of the Philippines, led by Amlan Mayor Bentham de la Cruz, Philippine Councilors League, led by Board Member Chester Lim, and the ABC Federation, headed by Board Member Arnolfo Teves Jr., hosted the forum Saturday.*CPG

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