LOCAL Government Secretary Michael Sueno pledged support for the continuation of the Negros Island Region (NIR), but revealed that there are Cabinet officials who are opposing it.

However, he refused to name the officials he is referring to.

Sueno said that in the meantime, the NIR budget will still be sourced from Western Visayas for Negros Occidental, and Central Visayas for Negros Oriental because the budget for 2017 has already been prepared.

Sueno led the launching of Masa Masid for NIR Saturday at L' Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City. The event was attended by police officials, local chief executives, and other officials in the two provinces.

Masa Masid is a barangay-based anti-criminality, anti-corruption, and anti-illegal drugs program that encourages multi-sectoral partnership to intensify the spirit of volunteerism at the community level.

The purpose of the program is to heighten community involvement by mobilizing the support of local stakeholders, volunteers, civic organizations, faith-based organizations, and the private sector in the fight against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption.

Commitment of support to the program were given by Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-NIR Regional Director Julius Navales, and Police Regional Office-NIR Regional Director Renato Gumban.

Meanwhile, Sueno clarified that there is no truth to reports that the services of the barangay kagawads will be stopped upon expiration of their terms on October 30.

“Like the incumbent punong barangays, they will be on hold over capacity after the postponement of the barangay elections to next year,” Sueno said.

He said the Department of Interior and Local Government can suspend a barangay official only if there is a cause.

He added that it is not also true that barangay officials will be appointed by the mayors or governors upon expiration of their terms on October 30.