The ceremonial signing of the Negros Island Region Internal Rules and Regulations (IRR) will no longer be held in Siquijor, Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District) said on Thursday, August 22.
An ad referendum will instead be held where members of the NIR Technical Working Group will be sent copies of the IRR to sign to hasten the process, she said.
A ceremonial signing in Siquijor will delay the IRR because a common schedule for all the TWG members will have to be reached, she said.
Among the members of the TWG are the governors and representatives of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
With the representatives busy with the budget hearings coming up with a common date for the ceremonial signing would be difficult and would delay the IRR, Alvarez said.
“For expediency an ad referendum will be held,” she said.
Alvarez said she is happy with the IRR because her request for a provision allowing the regional offices to put up extension or satellite offices in other provinces was included.
This will bring services closer to the people in areas where the regional offices are not located, she said.*