THE Organik na Negros! Organic Producers and Retailers Association (Onopra) has also drafted and sent an appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte for the retention of the Negros Island Region (NIR).
The organization’s appeal joined the snowballing call, including the manifesto signed by officials and leaders from both Negros provinces, during a forum held at the Provincial Capitol’s Social Hall in Bacolod City on Monday.
In its letter of appeal, a copy of which was obtained by Sun.Star Bacolod, Onopra said that NIR is the realization of every Negrense’s dream of having one identity as brothers and sisters connected by blood and culture.
For more than 20 years, leaders and people in the region have been united in one cause that is, to bring the two Negros provinces into one island region, Onopra said.
“Dear Mr. President, we at Onopra are appealing with due respect to retain Negros Island Region. We strove for so many years to reconnect with our history and culture that were lost and forgotten. Please do not cause to divide us again,” it added.
The appeal further stated that the organization has high hopes that as the country’s committed leader, Duterte will consider the pleas of his constituents.
“The dissolution of NIR will deny us our common identity, our morale, our hopes and aspirations,” it said.
Onopra is comprised of more than 2, 000 members coming from organic small farmers organizations, cooperatives, indigenous people, private companies, restaurateurs, manufacturers, among others.
The organization said it is devoted to advancing the organic movement in the region with more than 15,000 hectares of organic farms in Negros Occidental alone, and still expanding.
Onopra officers and members also cited that the efforts against the propagation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Negros as a significant step in taking back control from big multinational corporations and oligarchs, and the domination of foreign agricultural interest groups.
All activities of the group are anchored on the welfare of the poor and rural communities, to protect the environment, and to provide safe, healthy and nutritious food for all Negrenses and Filipinos, Onopra said.
Thus, the sustainable development of the island with one ecosystem will be effectively and highly enhanced through a comprehensive island-wide development framework that reflects the common needs and shared priorities of the two provinces, it added.
“Mr. President, please allow us the opportunity to work together in a harmonized manner. Please help us in our quest for a progressive island and a much improved quality of life for the Negrenses,” the appeal stated.
“We know that you have the best interest of your people at heart,” it further said.
