THE Negros Island Region (NIR) Bill (HB 7355) has gained unanimous approval for its third and final reading at the House of Representatives on March 6.

Negros Occidental 4th District Rep. Juliet Marie Ferrer said that the lower house of Congress passed this bill with 290 votes.

There were zero abstentions and zero negative votes cast during the session, she said.

With her, those who favorably cast their "yes" vote for the NIR bill were Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, 3rd District Rep. Jose Francisco Benitez, 5th District Rep. Emilio Yulo III, all of Negros Occidental, and Negros Oriental 1st District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichiong.

"We are very happy to announce that the NIR Bill has been approved by the House of Representatives on third reading. We are grateful to Speaker Martin Romualdez and all the members of Congress for the unanimous approval of the bill," Ferrer said.

Benitez said that this has been a long-standing dream of many Negrenses, and we are now closer than ever to achieving it.

"Let's continue to work together towards a brighter, more united future for Negros Island," he added.*