The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Negros Island Region convened key regional stakeholders for the NIR Regional Development Plan (RDP) formulation workshop in Bacolod City May 26-27.
The activity aims to harness collective expertise and insights to shape the region’s first comprehensive development blueprint, the DEPDev (formerly National Economic and Development Authority) said in a statement.
Participants from the provinces of Negros Occidental, Siquijor, and Negros Oriental, and representatives from Bacolod City, discussed and refined the vision, goals, strategies, and priority interventions critical to the region’s sustainable growth.
The Land Transportation Office Region 6 also took part in the two-day RDP formulation workshop, with assistant regional director Jeck Conlu joining government officials, agency heads, and development planners across NIR to refine the roadmap for the imminent launch of the Regional Development Council–NIR.
“A seamless integration of services is vital for the prosperity of the newly-formed Negros Island Region,” the LTO6 said, adding that its involvement “highlights its dedication to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and promoting efficient public service delivery across the country.”
The Philippine Statistics Authority earlier said that NIR showed strong economic performance in 2024.
PSA-NIR interim regional director John Campomanes had said that NIR has positioned itself as one of the fastest-growing regional economies last year, with an economic growth of P636.37 billion.
This figure was 5.9 percent higher than the region’s economic performance in 2023 at P601.02 billion, surpassed the national average of 5.7 percent, and even outpaced the growth rates of the National Capital Region and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), both at 5.6 percent.
“This makes NIR the country’s seventh fastest growing regional economy,” Campomanes said.
Chief economic development specialist Marlon Jinon of DEPDev-NIR said the region’s economy thrived in 2024, indicative of flourishing local economic activities, as seen through the rapid growth rates of industries, particularly construction. ||
