THE Diocese of Dumaguete is asking President Marcos Jr. to veto the bill seeking to create the Negros Island Region (NIR), citing the lack of transparency and public information on the purpose of the measure.
In an open letter, Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes told the President that the measure lacks the backing of the people.
“The church’s sole concern in this matter is to ensure that the voice of the people is not only heard but also duly acknowledged and accorded the justice it rightfully deserves,” said Cortes.
“In light of these compelling considerations, Your Excellency, we respectfully implore you to wield your executive authority judiciously and veto the bill due to a grave lack of fair, just, and truthful consultation,” he added.
The prelate noted how the passage of the bill has been marred by a “lack of comprehensive information dissemination and meaningful consultation” with the different sectors and stakeholders of Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
“As custodians of democracy, it is the people’s inherent right to be fully informed and actively engaged in decisions of such magnitude, for they shape the trajectory of our collective destiny,” said Cortes.
He also pointed how creating the NIR threatens to worsen the inequalities between Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental.
“This asymmetry in representation and resource allocation could perpetuate systemic injustices, further marginalizing vulnerable communities,” said the bishop.
On the part of Siquijor, he said it is questionable why there was no proper consultation with the people of Siquijor on the measure.
“We raise the perplexing inclusion of the province of Siquijor in the NIR, despite its distinct identity, language, and geographical separation from Negros,” said Cortes.
