NIR’s fate still 50/50 —DILG

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The lobby for the retention of Negros Island Region continues, as there is a 50-50 chance that it will be retained, according to Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo.

Hinlo, who accompanied Tourism Assistant Secretary Daniel Angelo Mercado, in a meeting with Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. on Monday, disclosed that President Rodrigo Duterte has not signed yet an executive order abolishing Negros Island Region.

Members of the Cabinet are slated next month to deliberate on the NIR’s existence, said Hinlo, but he was unsure of its fate. Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueño earlier expressed his support to NIR retention.

“We will give it our best shot. We will need the help of all Negrosanons and non-Negrosanons to convince the President that the NIR is good for his people in this island,” Hinlo said.

Hinlo said they are appealing to the President to see the retention of the NIR, not in terms of the budget but to enable Negrosanons to have a cultural identity.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Daniel Angelo Mercado also vowed to help lobby for the NIR retention.

Marañon and other Negros officials have pointed out that the NIR can continue to exist under the present set up without any additional cost to the government. It is currently operating on Negros Occidental’s share of the Western Visayas budget, and Negros Oriental’s share from Central Visayas.

The signature campaign for the retention of NIR is also being conducted in the different towns and cities of Negros Occidental and Oriental provinces.

Marañon pointed out that the regional directors of national government agencies assigned in the NIR, during a congressional hearing by the House Special Committee on Visayas Development, spoke of how the continuation of the island region is advantageous to the people of Negros.

“At the end of day,I hope the president is convinced” to retain the NIR,” said Marañon, as he reiterated that 16 senators are supporting for the retention of the NIR.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno had said earlier that the President was set to repeal the executive order creating the NIR because of budgetary constraints. (FREEMAN)