The Negros Island Region (NIR) Act was formally signed into law by President Marcos at Malacañang on June 13, the day after the celebration of the Philippine Indenpendence.
The signing which was attended by both Negros Occidental and Oriental governors unites the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor under one administrative region.
This long-overdue change addresses the historical anomaly of an island divided between two regions that has long been attempted by several governors to be one.
President Marcos said that the union makes very practical sense, especially in the Negros Island, where people are located on one island but are governed under separate administrative regions.
The NIR Act promises to streamline administration, strengthen local control, and accelerate economic, cultural, and social development across Negros. By eliminating the bureaucratic hurdles caused by separate regional governance, Negrenses will have easier access to government services.
President Marcos highlighted: “So, for decades now, Negrenses have endured the rigors of sea travel, unnecessary expenses, bureaucratic red tape, [and] inefficiency that this arrangement has brought, especially when there is a need to urgently access government services from regional centers on other islands.”
The island’s natural resources and industries, like sugar, tourism, and renewable energy, will benefit from a unified approach.
The chief executive noted the glaring uneven growth and disparity of funding between the two provinces, which share many of same natural resources and industries.
The NIR is also eyed to be the new growth engine for the Visayas region by pooling resources, investments, and economic planning.
“We envision as well the NIR as one of the centers of development in the Visayas, further accelerating socio-economic development for the millions of Negrenses and providing strategic convergence regarding resources, investments, and economic planning,” he said in his speeech.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of unity for the newly formed region. Collaboration between the provinces will leverage their respective strengths and build a more prosperous Negrense community.
This new chapter promises a brighter future for Negros Island.
