THE consultation meeting on the Negros Island Region (NIR) today, 9 a.m., at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City is meant to convince President Rodrigo Duterte to retain the region.
Interior Undersecretary on Public Safety Jesus Hinlo Jr. said he was sent by Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno to listen to the position of the Negrenses.
He said “this could probably be our last chance” to convince the President not to sign the executive order abolishing NIR.
“We want to personally hear (the sentiments of the leaders here) because Secretary Sueno is for its retention, but the Cabinet and the President might have the decision already. But there’s no harm in relaying to the President the sentiments of our people,” he said.
“This is the very purpose of this visit and consultation,” Hinlo said, adding, “from there, we can make an attempt to possibly convince the President to follow the sentiments of our people here.”
He said that “Negros is not alone. But to make the process more credible we want to listen first to the sentiments of the local leaders.”
Hinlo added that they will find out today “how strong is our position, if we are one, and if our local leaders will really fight for its retention.” He also said that he would give the local leaders here guidance on how to convince the President to retain NIR.
The official pointed out that hearing the sentiments of the local officials is part of the due process before the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) would make a conclusion.
“Our personal opinion would not matter so we want to have more inputs on how to approach the situation,” he said.
Last week, Sueno said he will lobby for the NIR in the next Cabinet meeting on the first week of November. He also urged the Negrenses and the media to help with the information drive about NIR.
Hinlo said that whatever is the outcome of the meeting today will be relayed by Sueno in the next Cabinet meeting.
However, he was tight-lipped when asked about the speculations that the move to abolish NIR has something to do with politics.
Majority of the Negrenses supported the rival of Duterte in the May 9 elections, Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II, who endorsed the creation of NIR to former president Benigno Aquino III.
NIR was created through the Executive Order 183 signed by Duterte’s predecessor on May 29, 2015.
It is composed of two provinces – Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. Negros Occidental previously belonged to Western Visayas, while Negros Oriental was with Central Visayas.
Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri and Paulo Benigno Aquino IV, who were in Bacolod City last week, have expressed opposition to the possible dissolution of NIR.
Zubiri wrote Duterte a letter expressing his support to NIR. He also filed a resolution calling for the continued existence of NIR.
He also vowed to file a resolution establishing NIR as a region when the Congress resumes on November 7. He added that majority of the Senators will support the move.
Majority officials expected
Meanwhile, majority of officials in Negros Island are expected in today’s meeting, which will be led by Governors Alfredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental and Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental.
Negros Occidental information officer Karen Dinsay said about 150 officials are expected today, from the mayors, congressmen and board members of the two provinces.
Vice Governors Eugenio Jose Lacson of Negros Occidental and Edward Mark Macias of Negros Oriental will also attend.
Representatives from various regional line agencies and sectors will also be present.
Dinsay said the two governors will deliver messages followed by the presentation about the status of NIR and a forum.
Meanwhile, a signing of manifesto of support was slated on November 5 at the Capitol Park and Lagoon during the commemoration of the Negros bloodless revolution, Cinco de Noviembre.