A senator expressed disappointment over President Duterte’s order to abolish the Negros Island Region (NIR), saying it will weaken the economic development and hamper efforts to alleviate poverty in the region.

“We are disappointed with the decision to abolish the Negros Island Region amidst the Negrenses’ appeal for unification,” said Sen. Bam.

“At the very least, this issue warrants a public discussion and we hope the Senate can still hold a hearing on the resolutions we’ve filed last year,” added the senator, referring to Senate Resolution No. 212 which he filed last October 24, 2016.

“We must immediately find out whether there are negative long-term effects for a divided Negros Island Region,” he added. Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri also filed a separate resolution urging to look into the NIR issue.

Sen. Bam filed the resolution after the government revealed plans to repeal Executive Order 183 dated May 29, 2015, which mandated the creation of a unified NIR, bringing together Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and all the cities, municipalities and barangays comprising the two adjacent provinces.

The NIR was aimed at further accelerating social and economic development of the cities and municipalities comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental and improving delivery of public services in the two provinces.

 In the resolution, Sen. Bam stressed the need for the national government to consider and assess the broader potential and long term impact of having an administration center in the Negros Island.

“This will enable greater efficiency in the implementation of development projects, and better and faster delivery of government services to Negrenses,” said Sen. Bam.