GOVERNORS Alfredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental and Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental will defend the Negros Island Region (NIR) during the hearing at the House of Representatives on November 8.
Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Ma. Lina Sanogal said that Marañon has already directed them to prepare for the hearing.
The directors of regional line agencies were also told to prepare their accomplishment reports, she said.
“We have to show them our accomplishments and they have to see that we’re already functional,” Sanogal added.
House committee on Visayas Development chaired by Negros Occidental Fifth District Representative Alejandro Mirasol will conduct the hearing facilitated by Third District Representative Alfredo Benitez.
Sanogal said the hearing will be a big help in the ongoing lobby for the retention of the NIR.
“The proposed National Expenditure Program is still in the House so our congressmen can question the Department of Budget and Management why the NIR proposed budget for 2017 was not included. Hopefully, they can push for its inclusion,” she said.
“We will also show them the resolutions supporting the continued existence of NIR from various sectors,” Sanogal added.
