BACOLOD CITY: "A promise fulfilled, a challenge up ahead."
This was the reaction of Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson after the Senate passed Senate Bill 2507 establishing the Negros Island Region (NIR) on Tuesday, March 12.
The governor, who is on an official trip to Japan, told The Manila Times that the passage of the long-awaited bill is "historic and a game changer."
"In God's perfect time I will be writing a letter of thanks to all responsible," said Lacson.
Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez also commended the senators for the passage of the bill.
"Today is a momentous day as the Negros Island Act has been approved on its third reading in the Senate," said Benitez.
"I commend the dedication and commitment shown by our senators toward the progress and unity of Negros Island. Together, we forge ahead for a brighter future. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat (Thank you very much to all of you!)," he added.
Rep. Mercedes Alvarez of Negros Occidental's sixth district, who attended the Senate's regular session, thanked the members of the Senate.
"As promised by Senate President [Juan Miguel] 'Migz' Zubiri and Senate Committee on Local Government Chairperson Sen. JV Ejercito, the Negros Island Region Bill has been approved on third reading here in the Senate! Salamat gid to all our Senators!," Alvarez said in a post on her Facebook account.
Rep. Francisco Benitez (third district) said: "Today marks a monumental step forward as the Negros Island Region bill passes its Third and Final Reading in the Senate."
"We thank all the senators for their unwavering support, especially Senator JV Ejercito and Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. This is a great milestone for all Negrenses in our dream for a united and prosperous Negros," Benitez said.
Senator Ejercito, author of the bill, said the bill received 22 affirmative votes and no negative votes and abstentions.
"With the passage of this measure, the Negros Island Region, or 'NIR,' is one step nearer to reality," Ejercito said.
"The idea for this bill was first planted three decades ago, with the approval of this chamber today, it will soon bear fruit," he said.
Ejercito, whose mother hails from Bacolod City, said the goal is for the six clusters of regional offices to be divided between the two halves of the island to ensure the effective delivery of services.
As the administrative division of Negros Island has not been conducive to regional development, he said the NIR law will strengthen local autonomy and accelerate the economic, cultural and social and development of the region.
"We would like to thank our colleagues for their support. Specifically, I would like to thank our Negrense-in-Chief, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, for putting momentum behind this bill," said Ejercito.
In a separate statement, Zubiri said he is happy that the bill has already been passed.
"This is my promise during the campaign. My father grew up in Kabankalan City. I know how long my provincemates waited for this," the Senate president said.
Under NIR Act, he said people in Negros and Siquijor "will not have to travel to go to the regional offices in Cebu or Iloilo because we will bring the services to Negros Island."
"This will soon become a law," Zubiri added.
The NIR will be composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental, including the City of Bacolod, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Currently, Negros Occidental is under Western Visayas with regional offices in Iloilo City, while Negros Oriental and Siquijor is under Central Visayas based in Cebu City.
In 2015, then-president Benigno Aquino 3rd established the NIR through Executive Order 183 "to further accelerate the social and economic development of the cities and municipalities comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, and improve the delivery of public services in the aforementioned provinces."
It was later abolished in 2017 through Executive Order 38 by then-president Rodrigo Duterte.