Bacolod City—In a historic move set to reshape the administrative landscape of the Philippines, President Marcos will sign Senate Bill 2507 and House Bill 7355 into law on Thursday afternoon, officially establishing the Negros Island Region (NIR).
The new region, which unites Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, is expected to boost economic growth and streamline governance across these areas.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Lacson announced on Wednesday that he received a notice from Malacañang confirming the ceremonial signing of the bill at 2 p.m. on June 13, 2024.
Lacson will attend the signing ceremony together with Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez.
“We are overjoyed. This has been a long-standing dream for both sides, including Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Siquijor,” Lacson said, reflecting the widespread excitement among local government officials and residents.
The new law represents a significant victory for the region, marking the culmination of years of advocacy and planning to establish Negros Island as a separate administrative entity.
With the expected signing of the bill into law, Lacson said preparations will begin to establish regional offices of various government agencies and the regional development council.
This move aims to enhance the delivery of government services and foster coordinated regional development.
“This is not just a political milestone, but a major leap towards more efficient governance and economic prosperity,” Lacson added.
The integration of the three provinces into a single region is expected to streamline bureaucratic processes, attract investments, and promote tourism.
The Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the development, predicting significant economic and tourism growth as the NIR leverages its unique geographic and cultural assets.
The chamber has long championed the establishment of the new region, citing potential benefits such as increased investor confidence and improved regional infrastructure.
Currently, Negros Occidental is part of Western Visayas, while Negros Oriental and Siquijor belong to Central Visayas. The new law will realign these provinces, creating a unified Negros Island Region that better reflects the geographic and socioeconomic realities of the area.
Following the signing ceremony, local government units and stakeholders will embark on the gradual establishment of new regional offices and structures. This includes setting up essential services and development programs tailored to the specific needs of the new region.
The establishment of the NIR is seen as a transformative step that will not only enhance governance and public service delivery, but also foster a stronger regional identity and unity among the peoples of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
As the NIR prepares to embark on this new chapter, the focus will be on harnessing its rich resources and strategic location to drive sustainable development and improve the quality of life for its residents.
The official signing of the bill tomorrow marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the region, promising a brighter and more prosperous future for its people.