Just when the idea seemed to have died altogether, a new set of visionaries in Negros Island are talking of reviving the plan to create a one-island region.
The idea, which was introduced in the 1990s by the two governors of Negros Island — Daniel Lacson and Emilio Macias II — was hatched out of discontentment. Negros Occidental was discontented with playing second fiddle to Panay Island which has five provinces, while Negros Oriental was discontented with being always second to Cebu. Both governors, visionaries of their time, wanted to marry the two Provinces into one region, away from the politics of Region 6 and Region 7.
This idea was greeted with skepticism at first. First of all, the two Provinces are very different culturally. The occidental side speaks Ilonggo, while the oriental side speaks Cebuano, often leading to many confusing conversations.
There is also the stereotype that the Ilonggos of Negros Occidental are garish, while the Cebuanos in the Oriental side like to just live simple, slow, and easy lives.
But when examined from a broader point of view, there are more things that unite than divide the two Provinces.
In the area of natural resources, we both share the same water resource. We share the same forests. We thrive on the same industries.
In the area of peace and order, having just one region would benefit our peacekeepers as there would be no more coordination problems between the regional offices of the two Provinces.
Probably the best argument for forming a one-island region is our being isolated as one island. Whenever a storm signal is declared over Negros, no sea transport is possible between our two regional centers, and business comes to a standstill.
All told, the idea of reviving the idea of a one-island region is indeed a welcome development.
As writer Stephen King said, “…Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”
