Local officials are pushing for the reconstitution of the Negros Island Region under a federal government system.
This was revealed during the federalism roadshow conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Consultative Committee to Review the 1987 Constitution in Dumaguete City on Monday.
The roadshow consists of public consultations on the government’s plan to shift to federalism, a town hall meeting where representatives from different sectors can raise questions or concerns and recommendations to the DILG and guest experts.
The forum in Dumaguete was attended by around 8,000 people, according to the DILG.
In a statement, the DILG said leaders from the Negros provinces and Siquijor, including Dumaguete City mayor Felipe Remollo, pushed for a separate Negros Island Federated Region once the Philippines shifts to a federal system of government.
President Duterte dissolved the Negros Island Region (NIR) on August 7, 2017, due to fund shortage, revoking an order by former President Aquino to create the NIR.
READ: Palace abolishes Negros Island Region in new EO
Duterte’s order reverted the provinces of Negros Occidental to Western Visayas and Negros Oriental to Central Visayas.
The DILG will hold the next Federalism Roadshow in Baguio City on June 26. /ee
READ: What Went Before: Negros Island Region