One-Island Region for 2 Negros provinces too costly-NEDA6

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines -- The long-standing proposal to create a One-Island Region for Negros will cost a lot for the national government.

This was what National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)-Western Visayas regional director Ro-Ann Bacal implied last Wednesday, when asked on the feasibility of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental being lumped into one region.

"To set up a region, we need to create new regional offices for all national government agencies, the whole gamut of it, so you just conclude from there," Bacal said.

Reports said it was the NEDA Central Office that said opening up a new region would not be feasible because of budgetary constraints.

Bacal however clarified that NEDA should not be the one to push for this proposal, but the Regional Development Councils and, for this matter, the RDC-6 or Western Visayas and RDC-7 or Central Visayas.

At present, Negros Occidental belongs to Region 6, while Negros Oriental belongs to Region 7.

Bacal said it will be the governors of these councils who will decide if they are amenable to the proposal: If the Region 6 governors will allow Negros Occidental to be taken from them, and if Region 7 governors will likewise allow Negros Oriental to be taken from them.

"What is the bottom line for creating a new region for the two Negros provinces and why would they want to be an island-region? Are there matters (in these provinces) not being attended to at the moment?" she said as she underscored the factors to be considered for creating a region.

Bacal said if an island, as big as Mindanao for example, wants to be a separate region, then it would be practical, but not if it is the size of Negros.

Bacal was in this city last Wednesday for an Orientation on the Mandate and Functions of the RDC and NEDA at Bascon Hotel.

The proposed One-Island Region was revived during the meeting of Negros Oriental Reps. Pryde Henry Teves and George Arnaiz with Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. at the Capitol recently.

The proposal was reportedly being backed by majority of the provincial officials and congressmen of both provinces.

The move for the creation of the One-Island Region started in the early 1990s during the administration of former Negros Occidental Gov. Rafael Coscolluela and former Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz. It did not materialize after the NEDA disapproved it due to budgetary constraints.  (FREEMAN)