President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made an assurance on Monday to sign the Negros Island Region (NIR) Act unifying the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor into one administrative region.

“Yeah, I think, I will sign it,” President Marcos said in a media interview in Bacolod City when asked if he would sign the legislation.

“I think, it (NIR) makes sense because it’s very difficult for Oriental to be, and be serviced in a regional center. So, kailangan talagang maayos ‘yan. Matagal nang problema ‘yan. Until we can consolidate, I can put it all together properly, and right now hindi pa ganun,” he said.

Without such legislation, it would be difficult to bring government services to the people, Marcos said.

The NIR Act will split regional offices between Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, creating new growth areas.

It is expected to contribute to the region’s ease of doing business by empowering residents and instilling investor confidence in its capacity to facilitate efficient government transactions.

The Senate approved the long-awaited legislation on its third and final reading last month. PND