• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Financial resources remain sound in Negros Island Region as evidenced by the continued growth in loans and deposits, and an increased number of banks/ATMs, an official of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Visayas Regional Office (BSP VRO) said Oct. 2.
Roxan Mujeres, acting head of the Regional Economic Affairs Staff of BSP VRO, said during an information session with the local media and info officers yesterday in Bacolod City, that deposits in NIR totaled P330.2 billion, as of June 2025, from P309.6 billion in 2024, and P287.2 billion in 2023.
In Bacolod, total deposits reached P161.2 billion, P225 billion in Negros Occidental, P98.9 billion in Negros Oriental, and P6 billion in Siquijor, also as of June.
Last year, total deposits stood at P152.5 billion in Bacolod, P212 billion in Negros Occidental, P91.8 billion in Negros Oriental, and P5.4 billion in Siquijor, Mujeres added.
He said the more money deposited in banks would indicate trust in the financial system and stronger regional economy. “Pag mas maraming naiipon, mas may kapasidad ang mga bangko na magpautang, tumulong sa nga negosyo, at mag-invest sa mga proyekto.”
He also took note of the increase in the number of banking offices in NIR, at 409 banks, as of March this year, up by 2.8 percent from the 398 in 2024.
There are 117 banks in Bacolod this year, from 113 in 2024; Negros Occidental, 259 banks from 250 last year; Negros Oriental, 134 banks, up by one from last year; and 16 in Siquijor, from 15 in 2024.
Mujeres also reported growth in the number of ATMs at 5.2 percent, even higher than the national rate of 3.5 percent. Per BSP data, Bacolod has 237 ATMs, Negros Occidental – 457, Negros Oriental – 193, and Siquijor – 20.
He added the August 2025 inflation data for NIR indicated a positive economic trend, with significant reductions in key commodity groups contributing to the overall decrease in inflation rates.
“This trend suggests improved purchasing power for consumers and a more stable economic environment in the region,” Mujeres said, adding that the region’s economy in 2024 “exhibited resilience and diversification, with significant growth in construction and services sectors.” | CGC
