One Negros island region plan: Negros Oriental execs still divided

CEBU, Philippines - Proponents of the One Negros Island Region plan, merging Negros Oriental and Occidental provinces into a region separate from both Central Visayas and Western Visayas, were still not getting favorable backing yet, as officials of the Oriental province were still divided on the matter.

For one, Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo has to date not affixed his signature to the Provincial Board resolution supporting the proposed One Negros Region concept, reiterating his stand to consult the people first on the issue. On when the consultation starts, he was not even talking yet.

Prior consultations with the public were the common denominator for any actions by the government officials of Oriental, along with other valid concerns that they said needed to be ironed out first before pushing for the realization of the concept.

Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria said he is for its creation but would like to be assured the pie will be equally divided and a fair share for each in terms of development, unlike in Central Visayas (Region 7) where Cebu gets the biggest share with the rest hardly trickling down to the rest of the provinces.

Sagarbarria however opposed to the establishment of the regional center between the areas of Mabinay town (Oriental) and Kabankalan City (Occidental), as initially agreed upon during the One Region Summit earlier this month.

He proposed instead that regional offices be set up in the capital cities of Bacolod and Dumaguete, but he admitted it would be difficult to determine what regional offices be situated in either of the two cities.

The mayor further proposed that for every regional office to be established in either Bacolod or Dumaguete, satellite office shall also be established in both Occidental and Oriental provinces, instead of in just one place, for convenience of the Negrenses. 

Manjuyod town Mayor Felix Sy, had another view. He said that, even without the concept, the two Negros provinces have been cooperating already, such as in watershed development. Some of the rivers in Oriental flows into Occidental and that it would be better managed and controlled if undertaken jointly.

Sy, a doctor by profession, added that he would like to have island-wide health services, which would be difficult to achieve if the two provinces will undertake different approaches.

Other mayors were not actually keen on approving the proposed One Region. One of them was Ayungon town Mayor Edcel Enardecido who said he will push first for consultations with his constituents because they will be the one to reap the good fruits, if it succeeds, or suffer if the intended benefits will not be achieved eventually.

Earlier, Mayor Emmanuel Diputado of Sibulan town commented that forming another region by a mere executive order from the president would only invite legal questions that would derail the proceedings. (FREEMAN)