• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As the budget of the Negros Island Region (NIR) is being prepared for inclusion in the 2026 General Appropriations Act, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said he expects NIR to be “fully operational” by 2027.
This came after the first coordination meeting of the NIR regional directors in preparation for the organization of the Regional Development Council (RDC) held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City on March 5.
Agencies that will comprise the RDC-NIR were urged to submit programs, activities and projects for prioritization under the new region.
Lacson said that 50 percent of the personnel requirement of the NIR regional offices will be filled up by 2026, with 100 percent completion expected in 2027.
At present, the NIR is “functional” with only the smaller line agencies yet to put up an office and assign personnel.
Its budget is still coming from Western Visayas and Central Visayas.
The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency have yet to appoint their respective regional directors for the NIR.
Lacson said the organization of the RDC-NIR, expected to take place after the May 12 national and local elections, is “an essential step to ensure that governance in NIR will be efficient, responsive and truly attuned to the needs of our communities.”
In June last year, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act 12000 or the NIR Act, creating a new administrative region comprising the provinces of Negros Occidental, including the highly-urbanized Bacolod City, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
Under Executive Order 82, at least 12 government agencies and offices are designated as additional members of RDCs in an effort to speed up the economic and social growth and development of the regional units. | GB with PNA reports
