The House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 7355 seeking the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR) on third and final reading Monday, March 6.
The bill that seeks the creation of a new region composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor was co-authored by all of the representatives of the three provinces.
“We hope the Senate passes its version of the measure in the soonest possible time…
The long wait is almost over,” Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said.
“We are glad that it has finally passed on third reading in the Lower House. Even members of the minority recognize the benefits the new region would bring to the people of Negros and Siquijor in a vote of no abstentions and no negatives,” he said.
Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District) said the bill passed by a vote of 290, with no abstentions and negative votes.
“We are grateful to Speaker Martin Romualdez and all the members of Congress for the unanimous approval of the bill,” she said.
“We also thank Speaker Romualdez and our Majority Floor Leader Mannix Dalipe for their support in making this a priority,” Benitez added.*