NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. is expecting a more progressive Negros once the Negrosanon Federated Region (NFR) will be realized under the proposed federal form of government.
Marañon also welcomes the joining of Siquijor to NFR.
The governor, who has worked hard for the creation of the now defunct Negros Island Region (NIR), said he is hoping that President Rodrigo Duterte will approve the NFR under the proposed draft of the Consultative Committee ( ConCom) which he tasked to review the 1987 Constitution.
ConCom is set to submit the final draft to the president on July 9.
“We are very happy, very elated and that is just the first step and many more steps to hurdle. At least they already recommended” the inclusion of NFR in the proposed 17+1 regions under federalism, Marañon said.
"We have proven that we can exist as a region. Siquijor signified to join us, that means they believe us, he said.
He assured the Negrenses that if NFR will be realized, it will be one of the best regions in the country and will be the most progressive and peaceful region.
The situation now is too centralized in imperial Manila, he said.
“We have been frustrated by the situation where almost 70 percent of the money goes to imperial Manila. Under federalism, that would change,” he emphasized.
Marañon said that with the projected share of P65 billion per region under federalism, too much improvement will happen in NFR and will have a great impact in the province.
Marañon is not yet certain if the 2019 elections would push through because it would depend on when the plebiscite for federalism will be held.