
THE House of Representatives approved a measure creating the Negros Island Region (NIR) in the Visayas.
With 290 affirmative votes, approved on third and final reading was House Bill 7355 or “An Act establishing the Negros Island Region, and appropriating funds therefor.”
Lawmakers in the region believe that the NIR would bring more progress and solidarity among their constituents.
The measure gained adherence in the 19th Congress under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr..
Under HB 7355, the NIR will be composed of provinces, including the cities, municipalities, and barangays located in the provinces of Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Siquijor, including Bacolod City.
Some of the principal authors of the bill are Negros Occidental Reps. Juliet Marie de Leon Ferrer, Alfredo D. Marañon III, and Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, and Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen “Caraps” S. Paduano.
The measure provides for the creation of the Negros Island technical working group (TWG). It will be composed of representatives from the Office of the President, the Department of Budget and Management, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the representatives of the Office of the Governor of the provinces of Negros Oriental,Negros Occidental, and Siquijor, and all the elected district representatives of the said provinces, including the representative of Bacolod City.