By JEN BAYLON
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez confirmed that the Negros Island Region (NIR) is now fully activated following the publication of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
During a meeting attended by 36 government agency heads, it was revealed that 90 percent of the required regional offices are now operational.
Benitez said most of the regional offices have already designated their directors.
This significant progress marks a pivotal step in the region’s administrative development.
However, Benitez said that due to the absence of an approved budget for NIR for the current fiscal year, operations will continue to rely on funds from Western (Region 6) and Central Visayas (Region 7).
He also indicated that the Regional Development Council meetings will be postponed until after the upcoming May 12 midterm elections, allowing for a smoother transition into the new governance structure.
The IRR of Republic Act (RA) 12000, which established NIR, was published last February 3, and was formalized on February 18.
Republic Act 12000, or the NIR Act, separates Negros Occidental from Western Visayas, as well as Negros Oriental and Siquijor from Central Visayas, following its enactment in June 2024.
Among the government agencies that have already established their regional offices in NIR are the Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Agrarian Reform, Commission on Elections, Office of Civil Defense, and the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Initially, the technical working group for NIR said 16 regional offices would be located in Negros Oriental’s Dumaguete City.
Guidelines
Earlier, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) issued Circular No. 2025-3, outlining the guidelines for the establishment of regional offices for national government agencies in the NIR.
These guidelines aim to streamline the setup of offices, staff hiring and fund allocation to ensure efficient governance within the newly established region.
This initiative aligns with Section 4 of the NIR Act, which mandates the creation of regional offices to enhance government services.
According to the NIR Act, Negros Occidental will host offices related to agriculture, land management, peace and order, security, and governance.
Negros Oriental will accommodate departments focused on human development, infrastructure, and industry, and labor.
The DBM circular also details mechanisms for establishing organizational structures and staffing patterns for NIR offices, including personnel transfers and interim head appointments.
However, due to the upcoming national and local elections on May 12, all staffing actions must comply with the Omnibus Election Code./JB, WDJ