MARCH 11, 2025— The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) inaugurated its newest regional office in the Negros Island Region (NIR) on Monday, March 10, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthen development and promote inclusive growth in the region.
This event marks a significant milestone in NEDA’s ongoing efforts to enhance policy planning and investment coordination at the regional level. The establishment of the regional office ensures that coordinated development initiatives address the unique needs and opportunities of the newly revived region.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan emphasized that the creation of the NEDA-NIR office is a vital step in unlocking the region’s economic potential, boosting competitiveness, and working toward shared prosperity for its residents.
“This moment marks a historic milestone—not only for the NIR’s journey toward progress but also for NEDA, as we proudly open our 16th regional office, reaffirming our commitment to inclusive, region-driven development. This inauguration is a testament to our enduring mission to empower regions, address their unique challenges, and unlock their vast potential,” Balisacan said.
Before the inauguration, Balisacan visited major infrastructure projects in Negros Occidental, including the Bacolod-Negros Occidental Economic Highway, the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges Project, and the Yuhum Village under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH). These projects are expected to create jobs, enhance connectivity, and stimulate economic growth in the region.
Negros recorded the highest Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate in the country in 2023, achieving 7.7 percent, surpassing the national average of 5.5 percent. However, poverty incidence remains a significant challenge at 28.9 percent, substantially higher than the national rate of 15.5 percent.
“As an island region, the NIR holds distinct opportunities and needs. The NEDA-NIR office will play a pivotal role in crafting the region’s first Regional Development Plan (RDP)—a blueprint to harness growth, foster resilience, and ensure no community is left behind,” Balisacan added.
Republic Act 12000, also known as the Negros Island Act, establishes the NEDA-NIR Regional Office to ensure effective public service delivery in the region. The law consolidates the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor into one administrative region.
As NEDA’s 16th regional office, NEDA-NIR is tasked with leading the formulation of the region’s first RDP and supporting key government services in the area.
The newly created office will also facilitate the establishment of the Regional Development Council (RDC) following the upcoming elections to enable a more coordinated approach to policymaking and investment programming in NIR.
“The NIR’s success hinges on our unity. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities, plans into action, and aspirations into tangible outcomes for every Negrense,” Balisacan concluded.
The unveiling of the NEDA-NIR office marker was attended by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose V. Lacson, Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo B. Benitez, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University President Dr. Norberto P. Mangulabnan, NEDA Regional Development Group Undersecretary Carlos Bernardo O. Abad Santos, and NEDA-NIR Concurrent Regional Director Engr. Arecio A. Casing, Jr. Also in attendance were Negros Oriental’s 1st Congressional District Representative Hon. Jocelyn Limkaichong, representatives from local government units, and officials from other regional line agencies.
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*with reports from NEDA Regional Office NIR