DILG proposes new region for Negros Island

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) endorses the creation of new region that would separate Negros Occidental from Region VI (Western Visayas), and Negros Oriental from Region VII (Central Visayas, to form a new region.

Both Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental are located in one Island (the Negros Island) but the two are divided politically and linguistically.

Negros Occidental, with its capital Bacolod City predominantly speaks Hilaynon (Ilonggo), with around 10% speaking Cebuano (Bisaya) in its northern cities and municipalities, while Negros Oriental speaks 90% Cebuano. Only the town of Mabinay and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental speaks a Ilonggo.

Aquino visited Bacolod City on April 30 and has shown support for the endorsement. The president said he will sign the executive order once the proper endorsement reaches his office.

Will the people of both provinces support the move?

Both provinces could share the resources of the whole island if the plan will be push trough according to DILG. Bacolod City, the largest among the two cities and the most populous city in Western Visayas will surely be the regional center.

People from Oriental will need not to cross the Tañon Strait any more for two to four hours, and travel by land for another three to four hours to go to the current Regional office in Cebu. Bacolod City is 203 kilometers away from Dumaguete City and is accessible by private vehicle for around 4 hours and by bus for 6 hours.

Although the two provinces speak two different dialects, 99% of people from Negros Occidental can understand Cebuano, and more than 50% can speak. In Negros Oriental, although the accent of Bisaya is very strong compared to Ilonggo, more than 90% can understand Ilonggo so the language barrier is not a problem at all.

The whole island will definitely experience economic growth especially in transportation sector as more and more people from both provinces will visit the other side of the island, especially those who have business in regional government offices like LTO, BIR, DTI, PRC,  DepEd, etc.

As a resident of Silay City, I totally agree in this move. Region VI is already a very big region consisting six provinces. We can say the same with Region VII. Having a region with only two provinces, the regional government offices can do their job well catering only two provinces.

Negros Oriental has a lot to offer to both local and foreign tourists so the tourism business since the province could boost when this plan succeed.

See Also: Negros Construction Worker Accidentally Digs 12th Century Treasure Worth P16.8M

/Fanny Jalacjac/ Assisted Press Bacolod

Comments

comments