By Glazyl M. Jopson
BACOLOD CITY – “Progress is already underway.”
This was the message of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan as he led the inauguration of the NEDA-Negros Island Region (NIR) office inside the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) campus in Barangay Alijis on Monday.
Balisacan was joined by Arecio Casing Jr., concurrent officer-in-charge regional director for NEDA-NIR, CHMSU President Norberto Mangulabnan, Bacolod Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, and Negros Oriental 1st District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong during the ceremony.
In his speech, Balisacan emphasized the crucial months ahead as NEDA collaborates with local stakeholders, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and other government agencies to develop a roadmap for the newly created Negros Island Region under Republic Act 12000.
“The coming months will be crucial as we lay the groundwork for this vision,” Balisacan said.
The NIR comprises the provinces of Negros Occidental (including Bacolod City), Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
Balisacan noted that the inauguration marked a historic milestone not just for NIR’s development but also for NEDA, as the agency opens its 16th regional office, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive, region-driven progress.
As an island region, NIR has distinct opportunities and needs, and NEDA-NIR will play a vital role in crafting the region’s first regional development plan to foster growth and resilience while ensuring no communities are left behind.
Last week, Lacson hosted a pioneering meeting with regional agencies and local government units (LGUs) to lay the foundation for the NIR Regional Development Council (RDC).
“After the elections, this inaugural RDC will chart the region’s core strategies, ensuring economic policies resonate with the aspirations of its people,” Balisacan added.
He thanked local officials, the transition team, CHMSU, and other partners for their commitment to making the NEDA-NIR office a reality.
“Let us remember that NIR’s success hinges on our unity. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities, plans into actions, and aspirations into tangible outcomes for every Negrense,” he said.
Casing noted that NEDA is one of the first national agencies to establish a physical presence in NIR, made possible through CHMSU’s generosity in providing office space to facilitate operations.
Since February, the NEDA-NIR team has been using the office for internal meetings and administrative work.
“Today, we formally open our doors and technical services to the public,” Casing said.
Lacson said the opening of the NEDA-NIR office marks a significant step toward responsive governance and efficient public service delivery in the region.
“With this office, we now have a dedicated institution that will steer our socio-economic policies, coordinate regional development initiatives, and ensure that Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor move forward with our shared agenda for progress,” he said.
For years, the vision of a united NIR has been rooted in a common identity, economic potential, and collective resolve to advance as one island, together with Siquijor.
“Today, we are not merely opening a physical space; we are inaugurating a new period of collaboration and strategic governance,” Lacson said.
He thanked NEDA, local chief executives, regional directors, and stakeholders who worked tirelessly to make the office a reality.
“As we move forward, let us continue working together—bridging our provinces through cooperation, creating opportunities through innovation, and building a future where NIR stands as a model of sustainable and inclusive development,” he added.
Benitez described the establishment of NEDA-NIR as a welcome development, thanking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and everyone involved in the region’s creation.
“This will exceed our expectations and help transform the region into an economic powerhouse,” he said.
Benitez highlighted the importance of regional offices, as these serve as essential government service hubs.
“With the decentralization policy, Negros Island is included as a key part of this initiative,” he said.
He also thanked the Senate and the House of Representatives for fairly distributing government offices between the Negros provinces to ensure equal representation.
Benitez assured that Siquijor would benefit from the decentralization of services, given its proximity to Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental.
While eager to see economic development unfold in NIR, Benitez also envisions a modernized regional government.
He aims to make NIR a model for digital government transactions, reducing the need for physical visits to regional offices.
“The establishment of NIR should be an efficient, streamlined model for interacting with government agencies, providing services in a modern and accessible way,” he said.
“By embracing technology, we can ensure that our constituents receive better services without falling behind.”
Limkaichong, who traveled 4.5 hours from Negros Oriental to Bacolod City, expressed her joy in witnessing this historic moment.
“NIR represents a lot of effort and nurturing. Being a newly created region, we are building this from the ground up,” she said.
“What was once just a vision is now a reality. We are working together to build a progressive NIR,” she added.
On Feb. 6, CHMSU and NEDA formalized a usufruct agreement, designating the university campus as the temporary headquarters of NEDA-NIR.
The office is located in Room 101 of CHMSU’s Academic Building 1.
