On one-Negros island region Drilon: "People of Negros should unite"

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Senate President Franklin Drilon, airing his support for the proposed One-Negros Island Region, said the "people of Negros should unite" for its realization.

Drilon, supporting the move to unite the two Negros provinces — Occidental and Oriental — as one region, told the media: "I have no problem with separating Negros Occidental from Western Visayas (Region 6) or Negros Oriental from Central Visayas (Region 7)."

However, the two governors were divided on their stand on the proposed one-island region. Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Junior has been pushing for its realization, while Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo is opposing it unless a feasibility study will show that it will improve the lives of his people.

The Department of Interior and Local Government, citing the huge budgetary requirements, had earlier suggested in putting up instead the Negros Island Development Council in lieu of creating a new region by merging the two provinces.

Representative Alfredo Abelardo "Albee" Benitez  (3rd district, Negros Occidental) said he sees no reason why the NIDC should not be acceptable if it can meet the objectives being sought by the creation of the One-Negros Island Region.

"If that objective can be meet by some other entity or arrangement, then we can achieve the same purpose of what was being sought," said Benitez.

Marañon however insisted for the creation of the One-Negros Island Region instead of the NIDC contending that the function of such body will be redundant to that of the Regional Development Council-6, of which he is the chairman.

On the Negros-Panay Bridge, pushed by Marañon as RDC-6 head, Drilon said it will be a good project because it will connect Iloilo, Guimaras and Negros Occidental provinces.

However, Drilon wanted to look at the funding first, saying that the last time he checked, the project will cost P55 billion. "I support the concept (of the project) but the cost is quite a bit and (we will) also consider where the funding will come from."