Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Monday, November 8, that his stand has not changed; he hopes the next administration will consider reviving the Negros Island Region (NIR).
Lacson said he hopes the revival of the NIR will this time be supported by a law so funding can be allocated.
“Without a doubt majority, if not all Negrenses, would like to have a Negros Island Region,” Lacson said.
The NIR was created by virtue of an executive order issued by then President Benigno Aquino III on May 29, 2015 but was abolished on August 9, 2017 by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Presidential candidate Leni Robredo and several senatorial candidates have expressed their support for the revival of the NIR.
“It was a very important first step when NIR was formed and established because it was an opportunity. It was a very big opportunity for both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental to finally plan as an island region”, Robredo said at a press conference in Bacolod City on Friday.
The abolition of the NIR was really a lost opportunity for everyone, Robredo said.*