Proposed Negros Island Region. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said he is likely to sign the Negros Island Region (NIR) bill, uniting the Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.
The NIR bill passed both chambers of Congress in March and now only awaits the president’s signature to become a law.
READ: Senate okays Negros Island Region bill
In an ambush interview in Bacolod City, Marcos reasoned that it was difficult for the provinces to receive government services.
“It makes sense because it’s very difficult for Oriental to be located and serviced in a regional center. So, kailangan talagang maayos ‘yan. Matagal nang problema ‘yan,” said Marcos.
(It makes sense because it’s very difficult for Oriental to be located and serviced in a regional center. So, it needs to be fixed. It has been a problem for a long time.)
“I think I will sign it,” said Marcos when pressed for a definite answer.
Efforts to unite the two provinces into one region span three decades.
READ: Duterte set to sign EO dissolving Negros Island Region—Diokno
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, the bill’s coauthor and sponsor, lauded the passing of the bill, which received 22 affirmative votes in the Senate.
“What we have been fighting for for a long time will soon come true. Fast and smooth service is coming to Negros Island. Thank you for fighting the good fight, and keeping the faith,” Ejercito said in March.