More assurances for the NIR

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

The recent statement from the Western Visayas Office of the National Economic Development Authority that the creation of the Negros Island Region will not have any adverse impact on the existing Region VI, further assures that there will be no more hitches in the plan, and that it is now on the stage of “All systems go”.

This is because both President Benigbo Aquino III, and Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas who have already been in consultation on the matter for several months now, are believed to be on the last and final stretches towards its approval.

The union of the two provinces in Negros Island, that have been, by some unclear justification by the ruling Spanish government then, designated as part of other regions separated from them both by sea, had long been dreamed of by the elected leaders of the area.

As they are now, Negros Occidental, the western side, is joined with the provinces across the strait, which are Iloilo, Capiz, Antique, and Aklan, while the eastern part is with the group of Cebu, Leyte, Samar, and Bohol.

The dream to form a separate region composed only of the two Negros provinces began to take shape a few years ago but was pursued with strong determination to create the region via an executive Order, is now nearing, with only the fine prints, particularly on what would be the rules and regulations to be adopted.

Now the chances are stronger that this will be realized very soon, in fact, the target is for the Executive Order to be signed before the President delivers his State of the Nation Address in July. As the people concerned over the realization of the dream, let us join hands in praying that it happens in our lifetime.*