BACOLOD CITY: A third province in Negros Island is 'unnecessary,' Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo 'Albee' Benitez said on Thursday.Benitez's reaction comes after the meeting on Wednesday of Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo in Dumaguete City.'Is his proposal aimed at a fair and equitable representation? The Regional Development Councils (RDCs) are represented by district representatives. They have an equal voice in Congress. We know that appropriation comes from Congress,' Benitez said.The mayor asks, 'What's the purpose of creating another province for what purpose?''Is he complaining of fair representation? Let us hear him out in addressing a fair representation solution. Rather than a third province which would take a longer process that might not even happen in the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,' he pointed out.During his meeting with Lacson, Degamo raised that a fourth province is placed under the NIR (Negros Island Region), which, he explained, would 'level the playing field in terms of representation at the Regional Development Council.'The fourth province that Degamo proposed will comprise Vallehermoso town in Negros Oriental and San Carlos City up to Escalante City in Negros Occidental.At present, the proposal is to include in the NIR a third province, which is Siquijor.Degamo has repeatedly pointed out that the creation of NIR will put Negros Oriental at a disadvantage as it would only have three districts compared to Negros Occidental which would have seven.Also, Negros Oriental has only six cities compared to Negros Occidental which has 11.This would also mean there will be no equal share in resources and income, apart from language barriers, Degamo added.Lacson assured Negros Oriental will 'never be left behind under the NIR.'I went there to listen to Governor Degamo as he reiterated on why he is against the NIR such as language and cultural differences. Those are small issues that can be easily addressed. His point that he brought up during our meeting was 'equal footing',' he pointed out.Negros Occidental is a 'dominant province,' Lacson said, because it's a bigger province. 'Negros Oriental will get outvoted in the Regional Development Council.'He told Degamo what he wants 'we will not oppose it because you know your province more than we do. In the same manner, you will not oppose what we want because of respect.''Outright I did not reject his idea of a new Negros province. But I think we should address the issue of equal footing. We don't want them to feel that we will overpower him because we're the bigger province,' he added. The governor said that when Siquijor will join us, 'we should assure them that we are here to help all the provinces under the new region.'As to the chairmanship of the RDC, Lacson said that it can be made in rotation among the provinces.He added that Degamo also told him of a study by Silliman University that NIR allegedly 'is disadvantageous to Negros Oriental.''I asked for a copy of the study. In case the Senate will ask us we can answer,' he said.Lacson added that he will hold talks with Degamo in the next couple of weeks to further discuss the NIR issue.He also said that there are other ways to assure them (Negros Oriental) 'will not be left behind.''We shall work together especially us who belong to Negros Island. We shall continue together to reach our full potential,' he said.However, he said the creation of a new province 'might delay the process of creation of the NIR.''I will make a report and talk with our district representatives, public officials, and maybe the business sector,' Lacson said.Lacson said that he will not comment on their local politics which 'is something they have to settle among themselves.'
