[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Negrenses to Rody: ‘Have mercy!’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY TIFFANY ANNE TAN
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
BACOLOD City – Negrenses are pleading.
Local government officials and representatives from government agencies and businesses in Negros Island Region yesterday drafted a manifesto appealing to President Rodrigo Duterte not to dissolve the region.
“Kaming mga Negrosanon gahangyo sa imong malumo nga kasing-kasing, Mr. President, malu-oy ka sa amon,” part of the manifesto read.
Malacañang had said Duterte may soon sign an executive order (EO) dissolving the region. The President has not done so as of press time.
The region was created via EO No. 183, which then President Benigno Aquino III signed on May 29, 2015.
Under one region, Negros residents are “experiencing easy access to their regional offices and a more focused and integrated development planning and implementation of programs and projects,” the manifesto read.
These can “speedily alleviate the plight of our poor, improve connectivity within the island, promote peace and order and public safety, and enhance agricultural productivity and overall economic performance,” it added.
Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental used to belong to Western Visayas and Central Visayas, respectively.
Oriental governor Roel Degamo said “as one island, one region, nag-apila mi sa President nga malu-oy unta sia agud mapadayon ang NIR,” but he also said they will “respect the decision of the President in this issue.”
Malacañang and Cabinet officials have cited “budget constraints” as reason for the planned dissolution. Budget secretary Benjamin Diokno said keeping the island region is “an expensive exercise.”
But Degamo said they were not appealing for additional budget. “Even without the budget. Just the status quo,” he said.
The manifesto also read: “We believe the continued existence of NIR (Negros Island Region) will not incur additional cost to the national government, and we assure the President that we will be able to effectively function with the status quo on the budget.”
Titled “An Appeal to Our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” the manifesto was drafted in a forum at the Social Hall of the Negros Occidental provincial capitol.
Department of the Interior and Local Government undersecretary Jesus Hinlo Jr., who led the forum, said Secretary Ismael Sueno asked him to hear the Negrenses’ sentiments.
Sueno assured that he will personally hand over the manifesto to Duterte and “fight for Negrenses” in the Cabinet, Hinlo said.
At the start of the forum, the attendees were asked who want the region abolished and who want it retained.
“We heard a unanimous cry among the leaders that they want to retain the NIR,” said Hinlo.
Occidental governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. said, “It’s a unanimous decision by the people of Negros.”
“Nobody raised their hand to go against the retention of the NIR, so this is practically the voice of the whole island appealing to the good heart of the president not to abolish the region,” said Marañon.
Rep. Arnulfo Teves (Negros Oriental, 3rd District) also expressed support to the retention of the region. “If I had to file a resolution or bill, I will do it,” he said./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
