PresidentRodrigo Duterte is set to sign an executive order (EO) to abolish the Negros Island Region (NIR)created during the term of former President Benigno Aquino III, a Cabinet member said on Tuesday. Thebudget secretary allayed fears the EO would affect services in the Negros provinces. Oncesigned, this could be one of the first EOs issued by Duterte to scrap the EO signed by hispredecessor. On May 29, 2015, Aquino signed Executive Order 183 that separated Negros Occidentalfrom Region 6 (Western Visayas) and Negros Oriental from Region 7 (Central Visayas). Thecreation of one region for Negros was supported by then Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 11, 2016 10:55 UTC