BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental’s Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday expressed hope that the next administration will revive the Negros Island Region (NIR).
According to Lacson, the NIR is “without a doubt” wanted by the majority, if not all Negrenses.
Lacson is hoping the next administration will consider reviving the NIR supported by law so it could be allocated with a budget.
The NIR was created by the late President Benigno Aquino in 2015 through Executive Order No. 183, but was dissolved by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017.
Duterte said retaining the region was “too expensive for the national government,” and that creating a new region needs to have a supporting republic act and not an executive order.
The NIR combined Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
Siquijor signified interest in joining the NIR should it be reestablished./PN
