BACOLOD CITY, May 11 (PNA) — Copies of the draft Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the creation of the Negros Island Region (NIR) have been submitted by the Department of Interior and Local and Government (DILG) to officials of both provinces.
This was confirmed on Monday by Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr.
“Negros Island Region is already a done deal, it’s only a matter of time,” he said.
Marañon said stakeholders of both provinces will still meet to finalize the IRR draft, which will then be submitted to President S. Benigno Aquino III.
During his visit to Negros Occidental last April 30, the President directed Marañon and Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo to submit an IRR that will be incorporated into the executive order that he will sign to create the NIR.
He assured the Negrenses that he will sign the executive order once he receives the IRR.
At present, Negros Occidental belongs to Western Visayas-Region 6 while Negros Oriental is under Central Visayas-Region 7.
Marañon currently chairs the Regional Development Council-6, but once the NIR is created, National Economic and Development Authority-6 Regional Director Ro-Ann Bacal, RDC-6 vice chairman, will take over as council chair. (PNA)