Fernandez wrote that “The entire revolutionary movement in the Island of Negros – the Communist Party of the Philippines, the New People’s Army and the National Democratic Front highly commends you and your group for your firm stand against the ambitious and devious One Island Region project of the ruling Marañon clique of Negros Occidental. With utmost consideration for the welfare of the people of the Island of Negros, you staunchly stand by your conviction despite pressures!” “The One-Island Region project of Marañón,” according to Fernandez, “is in consonance with its Negros First Agenda designed after the Philippine Development Plan of the US-Aquino Regime 2, under the Public Private Partnership Program.” On the other hand, the Oriental Left organizations held a rally in Dumaguete City to protest the One Negros Island Region initiative, and branding the proposal “anti-poor,” that it’s “anathema to human rights.” In the Dumaguete rally, their placards alleged that the one Negros proposal is in line with the public-private partnership program of President Benigno Aquino, resulting in the implementation of the Negros First Agenda that contributed to the rising incidents of land grabbing, militarization, illegal mining, and environmental degradation. Continue reading...
Interesting article in that I did know the poverty percentage was so high, but not surprising. My uneducated sense is N.O. would get the short end of the stick in future development in a one Island scenario, but who knows?
