BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – The word war between the governors of Negros island has reportedly reached Malacañang.
Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. denounced Gov. Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental for reportedly writing Aquino to express his dismay over the former’s proposal to create a one-island region.
Degamo is demanding an apology from Marañon, who refused to issue one.
Degamo was reportedly irked when Marañon said Aquino would have the last word on the proposal.
“It was a statement of fact. Only the President, aside from Congress, has the authority to create a new region,” Marañon said.
He said Degamo should not feel insulted since it is the President who would issue the order creating the new region.
Degamo said the plan to merge the two Negros provinces into one region needs a feasibility study. He said Marañon’s statement is an insult to his office.
Degamo asked Aquino for assurance and protection that his constituents would not be denied of their right to choose.
He said Marañon should apologize for his arrogance and disregard of the sentiment of the Oriental Negrenses.
Marañon said personal opinion has no place in the issue, referring to Degamo calling him arrogant.
He said they should stay focused on their advocacy to create the Negros island region, which has been started 20 years ago by previous leaders.
Marañon said Oriental Negrenses were consulted and their sentiments were respected.
“There was an overwhelming support to establish the Negros island region from the oriental officials,” he said.
Marañon said both provinces are at a disadvantage under the present setup where Negros Occidental is attached to Region 6 or the Western Visayan region and Negros Oriental to Region 7 or the Eastern Visayas.
Marañon assailed Degamo for not attending the consultations. Degamo attended only two of five meetings.
The occidental governor said many attended the last two consultations in Mabinay and Guihulngan towns. He said no one expressed opposition.
The last meeting will be on Jan. 27 in Bayawan.
Resolutions and petitions – including those submitted by the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Association of Barangay Captains-Negros Oriental, the League of Municipalities in the Philippines-Negros Oriental, the Negros Oriental provincial board and the Philippine Councilors League-Negros Oriental – will be forwarded to Aquino next month, Marañon said.