The proposed measure creating the Negros Island Region (NIR)--a pipe dream of Negrense solons--was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives on Monday afternoon, March 6.
Garnering 290 affirmative votes during nominal voting was House Bill (HB) No. 7355, titled, "An Act establishing the Negros Island Region, and appropriating funds therefor'.
There were neither negative votes nor abstentions.
Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, who presided over plenary session Monday, declared the bill's third-reading passage.
Under HB No.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.
The measure provides for the creation of rhe 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.
"The TWG shall formulate strategic plans to put in place the institutional arrangements for the NIR; recommend to the Office of the President the preferred location of the Regional Center; arrrange the requirements for the organizational development, staffing, and budgeting of regional line and regulatory agencies, as well as the imperatives for development planning and investment programming," the bill stated.
"Notwithstanding the activities of the NIR-TWG," it said, "And to ensure the smooth transition of basic services, the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) is hereby designated as the Secretariat of the TWG until the latter has completed its task. The plans and recommendations of the TWG shall be approved by the President."
Under HB No.7355, all departments, bureaus, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or controlled corporations and government financial institutions, are hereby directed to extend full assistance to the NIR-TWG in support of its functions and activities.
Proponents believe that the NIR would bring more progress and solidarity among their constituents.