Ruling on dissolution of NIR postponed

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The decision to dissolve or not the newly-created Negros Island Region (NIR) has been postponed.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael “Mike” Sueno, who is supporting the NIR retention, disclosed that the Cabinet had decided to postpone its action on NIR until December.

“We will discuss it first in a cluster meeting, which I will call this month, and include it in the agenda for the December Cabinet meeting,” Sueño said.

Budget Secretary Ben Diokno earlier said the revocation of an executive order—issued by then president Benigno Aquino III—creating the NIR was set to be signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The decision by the Cabinet to postpone its decision on NIR till next month is a good sign, according to Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., who has been leading the call for lobby and prayer for NIR retention.

About 500 members of the Sanlakas-Negros and other urban poor organizations in Negros Occidental yesterday held a march-rally expressing their support to NIR retention, while urging President Duterte to save NIR.

Sanlakas-Negros coordinator Jon Año said the call for NIR retention is also supported by the ordinary “masa”, and not only by government officials of Negros island.

A special committee hearing on the NIR was also held yesterday at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, attended by Marañon himself, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, Visayas bloc congressmen headed by Representative Alfredo Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occidental), and other NIR supporters.

“We are hoping that the president hears and grants our appeal for the retention of NIR, which is the call of the majority of Negrenses,” Marañon told The Freeman.

With NIR ranked fifth as richest region of the country, he said it will boost its lobby for retention, he added.

Former DILG secretary Raffy Alunan and movie actor Joel Torre, both Negrenses, also joined the call for NIR retention. (FREEMAN)