With Sueno’s ouster? Negros Island Region now faces uncertainty

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — The fate of Negros Island Region (NIR) should not depend on dismissed Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael “ Mike” Sueno—considered by Negros officials as a strong ally in the retention of NIR—but on President Rodrigo Duterte, according to DILG Under-secretary Jesus Hinlo.

Hinlo, a Negrense, vowed to continue the lobby for NIR retention. He said President Duterte told him that the retention of NIR is still being studied. “Let us hope for the best,” the undersecretary added.

Concerns were raised by Negrenses that the ouster of Sueno, who they described as “champion” of the NIR, will weaken the move for the retention of NIR, the creation of which was being questioned by Budget Secretary Benjamen Diokno.

Governors Alfredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental and Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental called for prayers that the new DILG chief, whoever it may be, "will also support the NIR."

Duterte has designated as DILG officer-in-charge, Undersecretary Catalino Cuy, a former Davao City police chief.

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the province has lost a champion of NIR and for the NIR, and the region’s fate will now depend on who will replace him.

Negros Occidental Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Maria Lina Sanogal said Sueno's dismissal "has a small psychological effect since Sueno is their lead defender for the NIR." She however said, "Undersecretaries Jesus Hinlo and Austere Panadero are also active in defending the NIR."

Sanogal added: "But, since there's a Cabinet cluster assigned to discuss the NIR retention, I do hope the discussions will push thru on the next Cabinet meeting."

Former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela, for his part, said he is hoping that Hinlo and Panadero, both Negrenses, will take cudgels for Negrenses in pushing for NIR retention.

“I just hope they find a good replacement at the DILG helm. Someone who knows LGUs, or someone who can isolate DILG programs from partisanship,” Coscolluela added. (FREEMAN)