Negros Occidental’s reintegration into Western Visayas in full swing

MEMBERS OF the Western Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) met on Friday with Negros Occidental governor, Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr., to discuss programs and projects as part of the province’s reintegration into the region. National Economic and Development Authority-Region 6 (NEDA-6) Director and RDC-6 Secretary Ro-Ann A. Bacal said they will be “undertaking a number of activities that will make Negros Occidental feel the presence of agencies in support of their projects.” Also at the meeting were Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia of Bacolod City, the center of Negros Occidental, and 15 regional directors of National Government agencies. “We expect the province and the city of Bacolod to set their priority programs and projects. And the representatives from the agencies are expected to give their feedback,” Ms. Bacal said. NEDA Undersecretary Adoracion M. Navarro, who was present during the RDC-6 meeting on Sept. 8, encouraged the business chambers of Metro Bacolod City and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental to pursue the Negros Island Development Agenda through an alliance to be spearheaded by the private sector. “So they are already talking about tourism circuits and then we also discussed about environmental concerns because they have natural resource which is Mt. Kanlaon. We also discussed about programs that will be put in place so that in times of emergency and disasters there will be an exchange of resources and manpower,” Ms. Bacal said. The Negros Island Region (NIR), composed of the two Negros provinces, was created through an executive order in 2015 by then President Benigno S.C. Aquino III. The NIR was dissolved by President Rodrigo R. Duterte in August this year. Negros Oriental is reverting to the Central Visayas Region. — Louine Hope U. Conserva