Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes said there is a strong opposition to the creation of the Negros Island Region.
“It’s an insult to the people, we will provide the public with the opinions even of leaders from different sectors in the community, there is a strong opposition (to the NIR) and our congressmen are supposed to represent the voice of the people,” Cortes said in a video posted by Negros Oriental reporter Choy Gallarde on his Facebook page.
“We are coming up with a statement but this is something that will have to be discussed thoroughly by us,” Cortes said.
The bills seeking the creation of the NIR composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor have been approved in the Lower House and the Senate and will be submitted to the president for signing in to law.
“While they may come up with a position, I am just wondering why they’re coming out just now. Why not when it was being deliberated on in both houses of Congress?” Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson asked.
Lacson said he has not had any prior information that there will be a position paper coming from the Diocese of Dumaguete.
“We also know that the vast majority are in favor of the NIR,” he said.
Lacson said he is sure Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito will convince the president of the favorable impact of the creation of the NIR.
Zubiri earlier said he is sure the creation of the NIR will get the president’s signature.*