Press Release
October 24, 2016

Bam: Abolishing NIR may deprive Negrenses of
economic development, poverty alleviation

A senator maintained that abolishing the Negros Island Region (NIR) may not be conducive to the economic development of the region.

Sen. Bam Aquino made the pronouncement as he filed a resolution calling for an inquiry that into the national government's plans for the NIR and its people.

Sen. Bam submitted Senate Resolution No. 212 after the government revealed plan to repeal Executive Order 183 that established the NIR.

"Abolishing the NIR now would deprive the Negrense people of a critical pathway to economic development and poverty alleviation," said Sen. Bam.

In his 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.

Signed on May 29, 2015, Executive Order 183 mandated the creation of a unified Negros Island Region (NIR), bringing together Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and all the cities, municipalities and barangays comprising the two adjacent provinces.

The NIR is 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.

"Let's not rush into a decision abolishing the NIR. We should give it the same amount of care, effort and time that was put into its creation," he added.

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