Negros Oriental Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria has expressed optimism on the full operation of the Negros Island Region as he signed Monday the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the NIR Act.
The IRR includes the rules on establishing NIR government offices and mechanisms, duties and responsibilities of the technical working group, funding, transitory provisions, and final provisions.
“This is a momentous day for all people of Negros. This is the real hard copy that we are now united with Negros Occidental and Siquijor under one Region,” Sagarbarria said in remarks before the signing.
He said 16 regional offices will be located in Negros Oriental: Department of Education, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Labor & Employment, Department of Public Works & Highways, Department of Science & Technology, Department of Social Welfare & Development, Department of Tourism, Department of Trade & Industry, Department of Transportation & Communication;
Philippine Statistics Authority, Technical Education Skills & Development Authority;
Civil Service Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Professional Regulation Commission, and the Securities & Exchange Commission.
He said Siquijor will also have a sub-regional office in the island-e2eeProvince.
Sagarbarria said he is excited about the signing but added that he is apprehensive as well because of the difficulty in gathering all governors, congressmen, and local government executives at this time when preparations for the elections are upcoming.
The Governor expressed appreciation for the initiative of the Department of Interior & Local Government in going from province to province to have the IRR signed by the Governors.
“The DILG has set up a regional office in Negros [Occidental]. That, in a way, is telling us that it’s moving. The many years of waiting is bearing fruit this time,” the Governor said.
He added that with the IRR in place, “we can expect the NIR to be functional.”
Within 90 days after the approval of the IRR, the national government agencies are expected to implement their respective road maps or transition plans.
Aside from Sagarbarria, also listed as signatories are Negros Occidental Gov. Jose Lacson, Siquijor Gov. Jake Vincent Villa, and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
Also named in the document are the Representatives of the seven legislative districts of Negros Occidental, including the Lone District of Bacolod, as well as their two counterparts in Negros Oriental (Cong. Josy Limkaichong and Cong. Chiquiting Sagarbarria), and one in Siquijor.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez is included as caretaker of the Negros Oriental 3rd District.
Based on the copy of the IRR obtained by reporters after Lacson signed the document, those who have not yet signed are Negros Occidental 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, Siquijor Cong. Zaldy Villa, Siquijor Governor Villa, Speaker Romualdez, and Bacolod Mayor Benitez.
Those who have signed the IRR are National Economic Development Authority Sec. Arsenio Balisacan, Department of Budget & Management Sec. Amenah Pangandaman, and Local Government Sec. Benjamin Abalos Jr.
President Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12000, or the NIR Act, on June 13, creating an administrative region comprising Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
The NIR Act separates Negros Occidental from Western Visayas (Region 6); and Negros Oriental and Siquijor from Central Visayas (Region 7). (Alex Pal, with reports from Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
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Photo Caption: Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria speaks to reporters after signing the Internal Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 12000 creating the Negros Island Region. (PIO photo)
