Tomorrow is history unfolding for the people of Negros, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to sign the law establishing the Negros Island Region tomorrow, June 13.

We thank President Marcos Jr. for his support of our dream of a separate administrative region for Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. We are indebted also to the support of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and our kasimanwa former Senate President Migz Zubiri, and the dedication of all Negros and Siquijor congressmen, and our champions in the Senate, especially our kasimanwa Senator JV Ejercito, who all worked together to shepherd the NIR bill.

The establishment of NIR will bring government services closer to the people of Negros Island and Siquijor, and facilitate integrated development planning towards inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in the region.

We hope that DILG will immediately convene the Technical Working Group that will iron out the institutional arrangements for the transition.