Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has nominated Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. as the new chairperson of the Regional Development Council in Western Visayas (RDC-6) to ensure continued economic growth following the establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR).
Treñas emphasized the need for new leadership within RDC-6 due to the separation of Negros Island, as the current chairman, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez, will no longer be part of the Western Visayas council.
“We need to realign our leadership to adapt to the new regional dynamics,” Treñas stated.
Treñas acknowledged the economic contributions of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental to the Western Visayas, noting that their departure would have a substantial impact.
“Losing Bacolod’s services is a significant economic blow, but I am confident that the region will recover swiftly,” he added.
According to Miguel Gallego, a statistical specialist at the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Western Visayas, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City have significantly influenced the region’s overall inflation rates.
“The establishment of NIR has bolstered the economic potential of the new region, while Western Visayas will face challenges in maintaining economic stability,” Gallego said.
Recent data from PSA Western Visayas indicates that the region recorded an inflation rate of 4.2 percent as of April 2024, the lowest in the province.
Previously, Bacolod City played a pivotal role in achieving the “trillionaire” status for Western Visayas, making it the second fastest-growing economy in the country.
The average inflation rate for the region from January to June 2024 stands at 3.2 percent.
Factors contributing to the surge in inflation rate include a decreased index for housing, electricity, gas, and other fuels, which reached -0.3 percent during the period, down from -2.2 percent in the previous month.
The transport sector also saw a rise, with an inflation rate of 3.8 percent, followed by clothing and footwear at 3.1 percent, and restaurants and accommodation services at 5.5 percent.
In Western Visayas, the provinces of Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo have experienced rising inflation rates as of May 2024, with Guimaras registering the highest at 7 percent.
Despite these economic shifts, the proactive leadership changes proposed by Treñas aim to stabilize and grow the region’s economy, positioning Western Visayas for a prosperous future.
