Newly created Negros Island Region holds first council meeting

BACOLOD CITY—The regional development council of the Negros Island Region held its first meeting at the provincial capitol here on Friday to kick off the start of the operations of the newly created NIR also known as Region 18.

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. said the holding of the RDC meeting was a historic moment for the NIR, and could be the start of making the region one of the most prosperous and best in the country.

“This is the beginning of what we had dreamed of more than 30 years ago,” he said.

Since only Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental comprise the NIR,  Marañon said it was easier to work together and get things moving faster.

Negros Occidental used to be part of Western Visayas and Negros Oriental, of Central Visayas before NIR was created.

“This convergence is geared toward achieving a more vibrant economic community and socio-cultural exchanges between the two provinces,” said Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.

“The merger will enhance our cooperation on matters of good governance, productive investment, tourism, social services and support infrastructure, shared advocacy for the protection and conservation of land and marine ecosystems,” he said.

The RDC organizational meeting was attended by the city mayors of both provinces and regional heads of line agencies was presided by National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) regional director Efren Carrenon in the absence of a chairman yet to be appointed by the president.

The group approved the development council’s organizational structure, the creation of its sectoral committees, and schedule of meetings for next year.

Also approved was the 2017 annual investment program of the NIR that would be included in the deliberations of the national budget for 2017 that begins early next year. RC