Bacolod City – The implementation of the setup of the former Negros Island Region for the NIR transition period was recommended during a meeting of members of the Visayas development committee, at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Negros Occidental 5th district Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo disclosed recently.
The Committee on Visayas Development meeting was attended by representatives of the Departments of Budget and Management, Interior and Local Government, and National Economic Development Authority, in preparation for the NIR Technical Working Group meeting scheduled 2 p.m. today at Camp Crame, Yulo said.
Aside from the recommended use of old NIR set up, as suggested by Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, the Regional Development Council 6 chairperson, Yulo said that concerns on budget, personnel, and regional offices were also discussed during the meeting.
The establishment of satellite offices of every regional office of various departments was also suggested, he added.
Since no budget was allocated for NIR in the proposed 2025 national budget, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siqujior, which comprise the new region, may still use their allocations from Regions 6 and 7, Yulo further said.
All of us committed to make NIR work, he stressed.
The NIR TWG meeting today will be presided by DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star)