• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental is offering its two properties to become the site of the regional center of the Negros Island Region (NIR).
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II presented the proposal during the first coordination meeting of the NIR regional directors in preparation for the establishment of the Regional Development Council, at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City on Wednesday, March 5.
The properties are located in Barangay Matab-ang, Talisay City and along Cottage Road-Lacson Street in Bacolod City.
Diaz said the 25-hectare property of the provincial government in Talisay City has already been subdivided.
Should majority of the regional offices go for it, the province will immediately commence the site development, including the roads, communication, electricity and water, this year, he added.
Diaz said the regional offices may enter into an agreement with the provincial government via usufruct and not by donation so as not to dissipate the assets of the province.
“By 2027, if it will push through, they can start building their own offices at their own expense,” he said.
In Bacolod City, the provincial government owns a 7,500-square meter property, where a 28-floor multi-use building is envisioned to be constructed under the private-public partnership scheme.
The area was previously the site of the Land Transportation Office, Boy Scouts of the Philippines headquarters and Veterans Bank.
The estimated budget for its construction is P6 billion, Diaz said.
He said that Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson wants a one-stop-shop for the convenience of government offices and for the constituents they serve.
According to the Department of Budget and Management, the focus for 2026 will be on the establishment of positions and personnel of various regional offices.
By 2027, the NIR offices may start asking budgets for the construction of their respective of offices, Diaz said.
The initial annual budget of the NIR is expected to be included in the 2026 General Appropriations Act. | GB
