THE Bacolod City Council has approved a resolution expressing support to Senate Bill 2453, reviving the Negros Island Region (NIR).
Authored by Negrense Senator Juan Migue Zubiri on November 17, the bill urges officials in various cities and municipalities in Negros Island to support the same.
It likewise seeks to bring together Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, establishing them as a single administrative region called "Negros Island Administrative Region."
Councilor Al Victor Espino, who authored the City Council resolution, said on May 29, 2015, former President Benigno Aquino III signed Executive Order 183, which allows the creation of NIR.
However, this was subsequently revoked by President Rodrigo Duterte through Executive Order 38 a year after he assumed office, Espino said.
Although it was previously tagged as an expensive exercise as it would cost the government P19 billion, Zubiri believes that it is worth the investment, as it would be more economical and efficient having the two provinces under one administrative region, he said.
Espino added that the creation of NIR will accelerate the social and economic development, and the delivery of public services to the Negrenses.
Negros Occidental Third District Representative Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez and eight other Negrense congressmen also filed a bill creating NIR.