Senators unanimously approved on Tuesday Senate Bill No. 2507 creating the Negros Island Region (NIR) composed of Negros Occidental including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

This is to promote administrative decentralization and strengthen local autonomy to accelerate cultural and social development of the region.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, who principally authored the measure, said residents of Negros Occidental, who have transactions with national government agencies, are sometimes stuck in Iloilo due to rough weather.

He said the same situation is experienced by residents of Negros Oriental and Siquijor who have to go to Cebu.

“This is a dream come true for all of them –the people of Negros Island, together with Siquijor. Now, at any point in time, when they need to follow up their documentation in the regional offices, it will be in the island of Negros — very close proximity to all municipalities and towns,” Zubiri said.

The sponsor of the measure, Senator JV Ejercito, thanked his colleagues for the support and congratulated the residents that will benefit from the measure.

“Paparating na ang mabilis at maayos na serbisyo sa (Fast and good service is coming soon to the) Negros Island. The idea for this bill was first planted three decades ago. With the approval of this chamber today, it will soon bear fruit,” Ejercito said.

Senator Francis Tolentino also lauded the approval of the NIR Act, citing it as a “monumental step forward” for communities encompassing both governance and socio-economic development at its core.

“The NIR aims to streamline the delivery of essential government services, fostering a more efficient and responsive administration,” Tolentino said.

Once enacted into law, the NIR Act shall constitute a technical working group (TWG) composed of the National Economic and Development Authority, the Department of the Interior and Local Government as the secretariat, the Department of Budget and Management, the representative of the Office of the Governor of the provinces, and the representatives from all elected members of the House of Representatives of the provinces. (PNA)

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