The one island-region concept for Negros, which was conceived shortly after 1988, and which had been placed in the storeroom for some time now, has again become the flavor of the year.
This, after more and more people and sectoral representatives are voicing out in support of the idea.
The latest show of support for the one island-region movement was the unanimous endorsement given by representatives of government and private sectors in a summit held Friday in Kabankalan City.
Provincial officials of both Negros provinces discussed the pros and cons of having the two Negros provinces (and possibly to include Siquijor) placed in one region, and try as they did, they could not find a problem about it that could not be overcome.
It is no secret that both Provinces, which belong to separate regions, are dissatisfied with their share of the national wealth. Both Provinces feel they continually lose out to the other provinces in their regions, especially the province where the regional center is located.
The thinking of the proponents of this one island-region is that with only two Provinces to share the pie of the region, each Province would get a bigger slice than what they are currently getting.
This is something that needs to be determined before we finally jump into the boiling pot. We could end up burned and worse, disappointed if our expectations regarding the sharing of the national wealth, are not met.
The one island-region seems like an idea whose time has finally come because the reason for its shelving back then (no money for the infrastructure of the regional offices) is not anymore an issue today.
To put things into proper perspective, it is but right for both Provinces to put up a technical working group to flesh things out. We must strike while the iron is hot.
As the saying goes, interested people will find a way to get it done; disinterested people will find an excuse.
