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Monday, October 23, 2017
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BACOLOD City – Despite having abolished the Negros Island Region (NIR), President Rodrigo Duterte still got a warm welcome from Negrenses last night when he graced the last day of this city’s annual MassKara Festival.
The President was scheduled to arrive at the Bacolod Public Plaza around 5:30 p.m. but showed up nearly an hour late. Still, festival spectators gave him a warm applause and never left the festival venue.
Duterte never mentioned about the NIR in his trademark rambling speech mainly about his campaign against illegal drugs and terrorism, but threw broadsides at the critics of his war on drugs.
Among the local officials who welcomed the President were Mayor Evelio Leonardia and Cong. Greg Gasataya of this city, and Negros Occidental governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., a staunch advocate of NIR.
In his MassKara message to the people of Bacolod, Duterte assured Negrenses he was one with them “in celebrating your locality’s colorful culture, distinctive heritage and indomitable spirit.”
This was the second consecutive year for the President to grace MassKara. He officially opened the festival last year.
“Wear your proudest and warmest smiles, Bacolodnons. Inspire and dazzle all visitors with your cheerful disposition and vibrant dances. Show to the entire world that, despite trials and adversity, you will always persevere, triumph and flourish together as one people,” according to the President.
October last year when the President opened MassKara Festival, he got a rousing welcome from residents and officials of this city and Negros Occidental despite the uncertainty on NIR’s continued existence.
Ten months after, on Aug. 7, 2017 Duterte’s Executive Order (EO) No. 38 rescinded President Benigno Aquino III’s EO No. 183 that merged the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental into one region on May 29, 2015.
The President never mentioned NIR in his speech last night. A pro-Duterte group is seeking the revival of NIR. Task Force Kasanag (TFK) national commander John Chiong said he would urge the President to reconsider his decision.
TFK is a civil society organization supportive of Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, crimes, corruption, and terrorism.
“Let the bayanihan spirit and your love for homeland continue to guide your every endeavor so that your city may reach even greater heights. Demonstrate these same qualities as, side by side, we usher in meaningful changes in our society and forge the progressive nation that we all hope for and deserve,” read part of the President’s MassKara message.
In abolishing NIR two months ago, Duterte said a “substantial appropriation” was needed to jumpstart the full operation of the NIR but there was none at the moment.
“There is a need to ensure that priority government programs and projects are sufficiently funded,” stressed the President./PN
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