Under NIR
Negrense legislators who authored the Republic Act No. 12000 or the Negros Island Region (NIR) Act, have assured the people of Siquijor they would not be left behind once the new administrative region becomes fully operational by 2025.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri and Negros Occidental 6th District Rep. Mercedes Alvarez made the assurance in a press conference Wednesday in a hotel in Bacolod City, as some quarters in Siquijor continue to oppose the inclusion of the Island-Province under the NIR for various reasons, such as lack of consultation and cultural differences.
“I see no reason [to oppose]. I’m appealing to them. I’m asking for an apology. Give it a chance, and you will see the difference. If they were not included, they still had to travel all the way to Cebu City [to transact with the regional offices]. Imagine how far and dangerous the travel will be,” said Zubiri, who authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill 2507, creating the NIR.
The NIR Act, which aims to promote administration decentralization, strengthen local autonomy, and accelerate economic, cultural, and social development, separates Negros Occidental from Western Visayas (Region 6), and Negros Oriental and Siquijor from Central Visayas (Region 7).
Zubiri, whose paternal side originates from Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, said this time, it would only take 20 minutes for Siquijodnons to travel to Dumaguete City, the provincial capital of Negros Oriental that will host the regional offices under the Human development & Infrastructure clusters.
“Imagine, all the livelihood projects, programs, and funding will be 20 minutes away. These are top-tier Departments,” he added.
As provided in the NIR Act, national government agencies that will set up regional offices in Negros Oriental are: the Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare & Development, Department of Health, Technical Education & Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education, Civil Service Commission, Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Labor & Employment, Department of Public Works & Highways, Department of Transportation, Department of Information & Communications Technology, Department of Energy, Department of Trade & Industry, Department of Tourism, and Department of Science & Technology.
“Definitely, no province of this new Region will be left behind. That is precisely the reason why we came up with this Bill that eventually became law — because we believe these three Provinces also deserve that much attention from the national government. Rest assured, Siquijor will not be left behind, the same with Negros Oriental and Occidental,” Alvarez said.
Agencies that will hold regional offices in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental include: the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment & Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Human Settlements & Urban Development, Department of Justice, Department of the Interior & Local Government, Philippine National Police, Department of National Defense, Department of Budget & Management, Department of Finance, National Economic & Development Authority, Department of Foreign Affairs, Commission on Audit, and the Commission on Elections.
In signing the NIR Act into law on June 13, President Marcos Jr. said the new Region would be a “bulwark of greater growth” and a “conduit” for more effective and efficient delivery of essential services for its people.
“I trust that the people of the newly-established NIR will work together to complement each other’s strengths to build a more united and flourishing Negrense community,” Marcos added.
Meanwhile, the Comelec has set up its NIR regional office here in Dumaguete, 10 months ahead of the mid-term national and local elections in May 2025.
Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano formally assumed his new post as Comelec-NIR Acting Regional Director effective Monday last week.
He said in an interview on Tuesday that Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia wanted the NIR office to be up and running before preparations become hectic for next year’s polls.
“Actually, there is an office order from our personnel Department dated June 19, but given the necessary turnover and transition processes, we assumed our new posts on Monday [last week],” he said.
The Comelec-NIR is temporarily co-located with the Comelec’s Provincial office at the Capitol Area during the transition period.
Joining Castillano in the transfer were Assistant Regional Director Atty. Dindo Maglasang, Atty. Claudine Joyce Ballestero, and some staff, in the absence of plantilla positions that have to be created under the new Region.
The regional office will be working on an internal budget until the General Appropriations Act of 2025 allocates funding for NIR, Castillano said.
“What is important is that we will have an early start operating under the NIR because preparations for the national and local elections usually take a year,” he said. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
