NegOcc gov’t allocates 25 hectares of land for NIR regional offices

BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental has allocated 25 hectares of land, which will be used for the temporary placement of regional government offices once the Negros Island Region (NIR) bill is signed into law.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson of Negros Occidental said 6th district Congresswoman Mercedes Alvarez made a provision on the placement of regional offices in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

The governor also stated that there is no need to amend the provision, only to add one that allows the transfer of offices for the benefit of residents once the three provinces are unified.

Lacson was pleased that the NIR bill has been approved in the Senate, stating that its passage is a “promise fulfilled.”

The law’s implementation now awaits the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Earlier, the Senate passed the NIR bill on the third and final reading, creating a new region consisting of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Senate Bill No. 2507 received 22 affirmative votes and no negative votes or abstentions.

The bill is expected to pass through the bicameral conference committee before being forwarded to Malacañang.

Negrense politicians are hoping that the bill will be signed into law in April, after Holy Week.

In a press conference over t he weekend, 3rd District Congressman Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez hoped the NIR bill would no longer pass through the bicameral conference committee to avoid delays.

The NIR was initially established in 2015 through Executive Order (EO) 183 by late President Benigno Aquino III, but it was abolished by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017 through EO 38.