Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri (File photo from Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri expects that the Senate Bill 812, or the Negros Island Region Act, will be approved by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
According to Zubiri, the measure is awaiting Marcos’ signature for it to become a law.
READ: Senate okays Negros Island Region bill
“It just has to be transmitted to the President for his signature now,” Zubiri said on Thursday.
“But I am very confident that it will be signed into law soon, and we, in the Senate, are prepared to push for its proper funding for 2025,” he added.
The bill will create a new Region 18, which will be named the Negros Island Region.
The region will then be composed of the Negros Island, which includes the provinces Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, as well as Siquijor.
Currently, Negros Occidental is under Region 6, or the Western Visayas region, while Negros Oriental and Siquijor are in Region 7, or the Central Visayas region.
Zubiri added people in the Negros island should have accessible government services and should not travel far for their government-related needs.
READ: House adopts Senate Negros Island bill with reg’l office assignments
“The people of Negros deserve efficient and accessible government services,” he said.
“They should not have to travel far at their own cost, crossing by ferry or plane to Iloilo or Cebu, just to transact with our regional government offices,” he added.