NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is offering Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo the chairmanship of the Regional Development Council of the Negros Island Region to address the "equal footing" issue.
"I discussed the matter with the business sector led by Frank Carbon, and I raised the issue of equal footing, and they suggested there will be equal footing because, in the first place, Negros Oriental Governor Degamo can be the first head of the RDC," Lacson revealed.
"We are willing to give that. There's no problem. He can even be in history as the first RDC chair or president. We're willing to give that just to show that Negros Occidental is here to help its members," Lacson said.
Degamo raised the issue of equal footing or equal voting in the RDC; that's why he proposes to create another province.
Lacson also said that Degamo's request to move regional offices is not a problem.
"I think last time we came into agreement on which offices will be based in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental. Now having three provinces, we'll also have to consider Siquijor, and there will also be regional offices that will be based there," Lacson explained.
"Last time, there was no problem. I understand Tourism was in Negros Oriental. I don't think he will be throwing his weight around. We assure that we will have a fair share of development in the region," Lacson said.
While there were several negative reactions towards Degamo's proposals, Lacson said he is willing to meet with the Negros Oriental governor again to convince him to support NIR.*