My take on One Island Region
The game of Split and Mend
The Negros island is in toil of the game of being split and mend, which has been ongoing for centuries. This is the result of two power thirst enclaves (Cebu and IloIlo) trying to get as much resources as possible. They have used so many reasons just to split the island and its people, from language to politics to affinity and even money.
The revival
Right after the EDSA revolution, former Negros Occidental Governor Bitay Lacson and former Negros Oriental Governor Emilio Macias (God Bless his Soul), started to talk about uniting Negros. This was continually advocated by their successors former Negros Occidental Governor Rafael Coscolluella and former Negros Oriental Governor George Arnaiz (this guy is now a congressman). Then a long silence.
The Long Silence
Since 1992 there was a long silence because many from IloIlo and Cebu opposed to the idea of Negros just being one region(remember the game of split and mend). This time the argument was about "too much politics", "this is not the right time", "we are wasting so much money".
I am like okay, arent they ashamed of too much graft going on and the money graft wastes, over something that is meaningful to the island dwellers? Okay sure.
Though the silence seems like forever. This dream has always been at the back of the mind of Negrenses.
The Dream
Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, through several Governors since 1992 have made several projects possible where the two provinces are integrated. Anti-GMO practices, Fisheries(coalition of Cauayan, Sipalay City, Hinobaan, Basay, and Bayawan City in the protection of marine resources which directly benefit the small fisherfolks), agriculture, Emergency response, Transport, environmental protection and strategies, tourism, etc. However these practices cannot move forward since both parties report to two seperate bodies that discusses and approve essential developments for the island.
2012 when formal talks about the reunification and creation of Negros Island Region started to roll. This was of course just like 20 years before it, again was opposed. This time all cards that was previously used were recycled.
The Issues
Language Barrier
Seriously? Anyone who says that language of cebuano speaking and hiligaynon speaking would make it difficult for negrenses to unite, should try to think and figure out because I know theres a lot of TUP-Visayas graduates works at MEPZ and they dont find it hard at all, there is always the room to adjust and learn. Only a feeble mind would think language is an issue.
Economy, Poverty, and Money
Businesses will always run and that's not because they run based on which region they belong, it is driven by market. The customers that feeds the pockets of their business. This is pretty basic, you dont need to be master degree holder to understand that? Common sense. You don't put up a store if nobody buys. You can ask any retailers for that.
Now the subject about poverty, what is poverty? Essential it is just being poor. Okay poor, what makes one be called poor? According to the World Bank, poverty is a multidimensional social phenomenon, definition and causes of poverty varies by gender, age, culture, and other social and economic contexts... In Philippines, in the Mindanao region,women said “we boil bananas for our children if food is not available. In some cases, when theDepartment of Agriculture distributes corn seeds, we cook these seeds instead of planting them.Ironically, they borrow money to acquire these seeds. The cycle of poverty continues as they areunable to pay for these loans” (Philippines 1999).
To summarize, it includes low incomes and the inability to acquire the basic goods and services necessary for survival with dignity. Poverty also encompasses low levels of health and education, poor access to clean water and sanitation, inadequate physical security, lack of voice, and insufficient capacity and opportunity to better one’s life.
How can this be measured. The DILG, DSWD, LGU's and Barangays have tools to measure the poor among its citizens, these reports are provided to the national agencies. How reliable these data's are, well I saw how a social worker work, and being a humanitarian myself, they are being monitored by UN and the World Bank, this is in line to the Philippines signatory to the Millennium Summit Declaration which talks about poverty. Now whoever wants to come up with their own twisted analysis about data just to favor their own interest, make sure you channel your arguments to the national agencies and the international body. I am saying that because there are so many who plays "all-so-knowing" everywhere especially online, yet in reality all they do is talk. My best guess is they would even try to sum up this blog post, yikes. Anyway. You know who you are and my message to you is that DILG and DSWD have their numbers made available online so you can read from there and don't rant on my page.
Budget
Budget is expected to be different for both Provinces. IRA for example, is dependent on the land area and population. So if someone would ask that the IRA for example of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental should be the same; well then you need to ask the constitutionality of that argument, because it sounds like a baby eating an adult food. Obviously they're different because the rules that stipulates the IRR for IRA treats all provinces equally was already a LAW; so if you want to change the law just for the sake of that, go ahead, ask first your local representatives to do that. I would like to see how this makes everything fare and square(shoving adult food to a poor baby's mouth). I am clearly using analogy here, so if you don't get the idea, then I don't know how were you raised as a person.
The Negros Island Region
Rappler made an initial Fast Facts about Negros Island Region.
Now the picture above was not able to state the Municipalities and other data about poverty. For more detailed information please check: NSCB.
I wish the DILG would publish the recommendations they sent to the President so we can see the details. Maybe we can ask the DILG themselves. I will get into that, maybe to be posted on the next blog.
The Negros Island Region is basically addressing the need of both provinces in achieving resiliency, with all the Comprehensive Development Plan and Rationalize Planning System that for both provinces are harmonized and integrated.
