The Negros Island Region (NIR) takes a major step toward economic progress and regional collaboration with the establishment of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-NIR office in Bacolod City.
Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson hailed the creation of the office as a significant move toward fostering development and strengthening governance.
Located inside the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) Alijis Campus, the NIR office will serve as a hub for planning and implementing key projects for the region.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez emphasized that the new office will be instrumental in linking Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, ensuring better connectivity and coordinated development initiatives.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan led the office’s inauguration on Monday afternoon, March 10. He assured that the NIR regional office will leave no community behind as it spearheads the formulation of the region’s first-ever comprehensive development plan.
Balisacan further noted that under Republic Act 12000, or the NIR Act, NEDA’s Regional Development Group will collaborate with local stakeholders, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Budget and Management, and other agencies, to craft a strategic roadmap for the newly formed region.
The NEDA chief was joined in the unveiling of the office marker by NEDA Undersecretary for Regional Development Group Carlos Bernardo Abad Santos, concurrent NIR Regional Director Arecio Casing Jr., CHMSU President Norberto Mangulabnan, Governor Lacson, Mayor Benitez, and Negros Oriental First District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong.
The NIR office is now NEDA’s 16th regional office.
Republic Act 12000 formally establishes NIR as the country’s 18th region, integrating Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Bacolod City into a single administrative unit.
According to the Presidential Communications Office, the law aims to promote decentralization and strengthen local autonomy to enhance governance and economic growth across the region.