Incoming president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may issue an executive order creating the Negros Island Region (NIR) ahead of the passage of a law, Bacolod mayor-elect Alfredo Benitez said on Saturday, June 25.
He said the EO could be issued so the new region can begin operating even before a law creating it is passed.
“It will come from the Office of the President as recommended by the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), we are working on that. In the meantime that we don’t have a law we will do with an executive order,” he said.
“Let’s wait and see”, Benitez said.
Twelve congressmen are jointly filing a bill seeking the establishment of the NIR, which will include the provinces of Negros Occidental and Oriental and Siquijor, on the first day of the 19th Congress on July 1, Rep. Francisco Benitez (Neg., Occ., and 3rd District) said on June 18.
Negros Occidental is currently under Region 6 (Western Visayas) and Negros Oriental and Siquijor are under Region 7 (Central Visayas).
Then President Benigno Aquino III issued an executive order creating the NIR that existed from May 29, 2015 to August 9, 2017. It was abolished by President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Negros Occidental representatives supporting the bill creating the NIR along with Benitez are Gerardo Valmayor – 1st District, Alfredo Marañon III – 2nd District, Juliet Marie Ferrer – 4th District, Emilio Yulo III – 5th District, Mercedes Alvarez – 6th District, Greg Gasataya – Bacolod and Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod).
Negros Oriental representatives Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong -1st District, Manuel Sagarbarria – 3nd District and Arnolfo Teves Jr. – 3rd District, and Zaldy Villa of Siquijor are also supporting the bill, Benitez added.*