Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 2507 or the Negros Island Region (NIR) Act on Wednesday, December 6.
Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito had pushed for the swift passage of the consolidated bill in his sponsorship speech on Wednesday.
Other co-authors of the bill are Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and senators Win Gatchalian, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. and Manuel “Lito” Lapid.
Zubiri said reestablishing the NIR would bring the government closer to the residents.
He said the current administrative set-up of Negros is complicated. Residents of Negros Occidental have to travel to Iloilo to apply for their identification cards, certificates or permits while those from Negros Oriental have to go to Cebu for the same purpose.
Under the bill, NIR shall be composed of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.*