Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson is seeking an appointment with the new governor of Negros Oriental to discuss the proposed Negros Island Region (NIR).
He is trying to reach the Negros Oriental governor’s office so he can talk to Gov. Carlo Jorge Joan Reyes, Lacson said on Friday, March 17.
Lacson had begun talks with then Gov. Roel Degamo, who was opposed to the NIR, in the hope that he would change his mind.
Lacson, who supports the creation of the NIR, was set for a second dialog with Degamo but he was assassinated in Pamplona, Negros Oriental, on March 4.
He hopes to continue the talks with Reyes.
The House of Representatives earlier approved the bill seeking the creation of the NIR, composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor on third and final reading.
A counterpart measure in the Senate has yet to be approved.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Senate Committee on Local Government chair, said the NIR bill would be tackled after Degamo was laid to rest.
Degamo was buried in Siaton, Negros Oriental, on Thursday.*