![]() Former senator Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. yesterday reiterated his proposal to create 12 federal states in the republic, during the first general assembly of the Vice Mayor's League of the Philippines – Negros Island Region yesterday at the Bacolod Pavillon Hotel in Bacolod City, where he was guest of honor and speaker. Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran was elected unopposed as the first regional chairman of the VMLP-NIR during the League's first regional general assembly, election and oath taking officiated by Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. Pimentel said this is a good event to celebrate. This is the first time where the vice mayors of Negros Occidental and Oriental come together as one, which is needed for the development of the entire NIR, he said. “Rather than acting separately, you are now trying to act as one for the good of your constituency which is the entire island of Negros,” he added. Pimentel said the 12 federal states will include five in Luzon – federal states of Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalong, Bicol and Cordillera. In the Visayas – federal states of Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas and Mindoro-Palawan-Romblon and Masbate, and in Mindanao – federal states of Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and Bangsamoro, he said. “The sooner we get the idea off the ground, the better. We must take advantage of the political capital being enjoyed by the President now,” Pimentel said. His original proposal did not include the creation of the federal state of NIR because it has not yet been created. But there is no problem with proposing its inclusion as a separate state, he said. Meanwhile, elected regional vice-chairman of the VMLP-NIR was Dumaguete Vice Mayor Franklin Esmeña Jr., Kabankalan City VM Raul Rivera – secretary general, San Carlos VM Renato Gustilo – treasurer, Sibulan VM Marcela Bartoces – auditor, and Sagay City VM Narciso Javelosa – public relations officer. Elected members of the Board were Victorias City VM Jerry Jover, Silay City VM Joedith Gallego, Mabinay VM Enozario Baldoza, Bayawan VM Ismael Martinez and Bacong VM Lenin Alviola. Familaran said this is historical on his part being elected as the first VMLP-NIR chairman. He thanked Murcia Vice Mayor Gerry Rojas, president of the VMLP-Negros Occidental Chapter, and Amlan Vice Mayor Bentham de la Cruz, president of the VMLP-Negros Oriental Chapter, for their support. He said the VMLP-NIR Chapter is composed of 25 vice mayors from Negros Oriental and 32 from Negros Occidental. Familiaran said he, together with Rojas and De la Cruz, will represent NIR in the VMLP national general assembly in October. On the other hand, Rojas said this is the first time they created the Vice Mayor's League for both provinces under the NIR. Rojas said the national assembly will be on the third week of October. The VMLP-Negros Occidental Chapter will conduct a medical mission in November which is being held quarterly. They also conduct feeding programs, he said. He has also proposed to De la Cruz combined or regional projects since they already belong to NIR.*CGS BY CHRYSEE SAMILLANO
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