OVERWHELMED by the support shown by Negrense supporters, Vice President and presidential bet Leni Robredo said the revival of the Negros Island Region (NIR) will be one of her top agendas for Negros should she win the presidency in 2022.
The NIR was created by the late former president Benigno Simeon Aquino III through an executive order, but President Rodrigo Duterte dissolved it citing lack of funds.
Robredo, who arrived in the province Friday, November 5, said it was supposed to be a big opportunity for both Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, especially to finally plan as an island region.
She said both provinces share a lot of resources that could benefit everyone.
The vice president said in terms of disaster management, for instance, the two provinces are affected as one region but the responses are different.
“So para sa akin, isa iyon na pinakamalaking tulong for the Negros Island na ibalik iyong Negros Island Region dahil sayang iyong 2016 until 2022,” Robredo said.
(For me, reviving the Negros Island Region is one of the biggest help for Negros Island because 2016 to 2022 was wasted.)
She furthered that “it was really a lost opportunity for everyone na naka-take off na sana kayo. Naka-take off na sana kayo as one region, as one island. Pero because it was [dissolved] so balik sa dati.”
(It was really a lost opportunity for everyone because you could have already taken off as one region, as one island, But because it was dissolved, it went back to what it was before.)
For the sugar industry, in which Negros is a major player, Robredo said it could not reach its target production due to lack of support from the government.
Robredo cited various issues hounding the industry like higher cost of fertilizers.
“You already have a sugar [industry development] roadmap. What is needed is just government support,” she added.
The vice president also met with Diocese of Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon at the Bishop’s House in the city, prior to attending the "People's Assembly" at the Acacia Hotel.
Robredo said the prelate assured that the diocese is ready to help in addressing prevailing issues about elections like propaganda and disinformation that might affect how people decide.
Robredo also met with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the latter’s where they signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the P500,000 donation from the Office of the Vice President.
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said the fund is intended as additional medical assistance for Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.
This is on top of about P13 million medical assistance that was extended by her office before, he added.
When asked if Robredo sought the support of Lacson for her candidacy, Diaz said “there were no explicit talks about that, the exchange is very casual about what is best for the country.”
Meanwhile, Robredo said she is overwhelmed by the warm welcome and show of support by the Negrenses during her arrival.
Clad in pink, about 5,000 Negrenses on board 1,200 vehicles joined the stationary caravan along the 15-kilometer stretch of the Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road.
Supporters were stationed from Crossing Ruins in Talisay City up to the intersection near the airport in Silay City.
The supporters of different ages, social statuses and sectors brought tarpaulins, and wore costumes with props, while some danced and chanted her name as Robredo’s vehicle passed by them.
Robredo said she is hoping to get more votes from Negros Occidental in the coming May 2022 elections.
"It was a warm welcome of the people and I never experienced that in 2016. It is a different kind of reception and the only reason why I'm more hopeful now is because I saw that the people are so invested,” Robredo said.
‘This is not just an ordinary support, instead it is as if people are looking at the 2022 elections as their personal fight. For me, if we are able to sustain. if we are able to sustain this level of energy and passion, we will have a very good chance at it,” she added.
For his part, her runningmate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, who was also in the province Friday, said how the Negrense people welcomed them is “so inspiring.”
Moreover, the vice president stressed that the law providing for the substitution of candidates for elections has been severely abused.
Supposedly, she said, it should be for specific purposes like in case of death or disability, and should not be used to put a placeholder.
“It’s a mockery of election laws that must be reviewed and that provision should not be used anymore,” the presidential aspirant lamented, denying claims that they were the ones behind the move to disqualify her opponent Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Robredo will be in the province until Saturday, November 6, for a series of activities.
She is meeting with officers and chapter leaders of Murcia Women Association - LNK in Murcia town, a recipient of her office’s sustainable livelihood subsidy grant amounting to P362,000 for their rice retailing livelihood project.
The Laban Leni Negros Occidental (LLNO), a group composed of volunteers and supports of Robredo, will also launch a “Lugaw Party” project at the site.
She will then attend the blessing and inauguration of the Leni-Kiko Negros Headquarters along Hernaez Street in Bacolod City.