One-negros island region plan Degamo to create council for public pulse

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on Tuesday announced that he will be creating a council tasked to reach out to the barangays, cities and municipalities to get the pulse of the people on the proposed One-Negros Island Region.

Degamo's statement came following a report from a regional paper that said his opposition could delay the take-off of the proposed region, which merges Negros Occidental and Oriental provinces.

The One-Negros Island Region was a concept first introduced about 20 years ago and revived recently with Occidental officials in the lead.

The report said Degamo's opposition was politically motivated, to which the Negros Oriental governor rejected, saying he was just quoting an initial radio survey that showed majority of those who participated in it were against the plan.

Degamo on Tuesday clarified with reporters that his stand on the proposed move was not final yet, and whether he will oppose or agree with it will be determined by the people's vote.

Getting the pulse of the people, however, will need a big budget and the help of the media to make them understand what the one-island concept is all about, the governor said. "On my side, I did not say 'yes' or 'no' but I want to see a feasibility study first," he said.

The Negros Oriental governor reiterated he wanted to see convincing data first that would uplift the lives of  the people, otherwise he will not take the risk of supporting the proposal.

Degamo reiterated that he is currently happy with Negros Oriental being a part of Region 7. As to the holding of a One-Negros Island Region summit in Negros Oriental, he said it will definitely push through.

However, no date has yet been set as he is still coordinating with the availability of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas, who attended the first summit on the issue in Negros Occidental.