The substitute bill for the establishment of the Negros Island Region will move to the House appropriations committee after it hurdled the committee on local government, Sixth District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez said Wednesday, January 11.
Alvarez said the passing into law of the bill may take more than a year, with the endorsement of President Ferdinand " Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Alvarez has been appointed as co-chair of the Technical Working Group which will prepare a roadmap toward the creation of the NIR.
She said that it is clearly stated in the bill sponsored by the Negros solons that the funding for the NIR regional offices will come from the existing government agencies.
Alvarez also explained that the Senate is waiting for Congress approval of the bill.
From the Appropriations Committee, the NIR bill that will include Siquijor will go to the plenary for debates.
Alvarez also pointed out that the backing of the three Negros Oriental congressmen on the NIR bill is enough proof that their respective constituents are also favorable to bringing the two Negros provinces into one region.
"It's still Congress that will act on the bill to be finally signed into law by the president," Alvarez said when asked for the reaction of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo's opposition to the NIR.
She said NIR which was created through an Executive Order of then President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino has been beneficial, especially to Kabankalan City.