Decision to stay with RDC-7 up to Negros Orienta

CEBU, Philippines — The Regional Development Council-7 has no stand yet as to the proposal to separate Negros Oriental from Central Visayas.

 RDC-7 chairman and Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado said after the Fourth Quarter RDC Full Council Meeting yesterday that the local government unit of Negros Oriental knows better of the situation and the RDC will not push for its separation from Central Visayas.

The newly-assumed RDC chairman added that it is best to leave the matter to the LGU.

It can be recalled that a proposed measure, House Bill 1446, was filed seeking to reestablish the Negros Island Region (NIR) to separate from Region VI (Westen Visayas) and Region VII (Central Visayas).

Central Visayas is currently composed of the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo himself is against the separation of his province from Central Visayas and be part of Central Visayas due to cultural differences.

Former President Benigno Aquino III issued an Executive Order creating the Negros Island Region, but was dissolved by former President Rodrigo Duterte during his term citing budgetary constraints.

Also yesterday, world-renowned furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue took his oath as co-chairperson of RDC-7 administered by Department of Interior and Local Government regional director Leocadio Trovela.

Cobonpue was RDC-7 chairman from 2019 to 2021 after he was appointed by Duterte.

Meawnhile, Kaabag Mandaue, an organization founded by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes was awarded as one of the Top 3 Organization Awardees for the 2022 Search for Outstanding Volunteers in Region 7.

Kaabag is recognized by RDC-7 the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) 7, and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.

 “Kaabag Mandaue’s 15 years of significant volunteer work in empowering communities and promoting volunteerism was recognized as a significant way of life and a key development strategy for nation-building,” it said in a Faceboook post. — JMD (FREEMAN)