Some 20 government agencies extended services to Negrenses during the caravan at the opening of the first Regional Development Council (RDC) Week of Negros Island Region (NIR) at SM City Bacolod on Monday.
Advocating awareness of regional development initiatives in Negros and Siquijor, the celebration involves specific events organized by RDC’s five sector committees under the theme, “NIR RISING: Shaping a Smarter, Greener, and Stronger Island Region.”
“This brings government services closer to the people. Various agencies provided information, assistance and access to programs and services, all in one venue,” the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev)-NIR said in a statement.
Its regional office, based in this highly urbanized city, serves as the secretariat of the RDC-NIR.
In a video message, Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria, chairperson of RDC-NIR, underscored the shared identity among the people of the country’s youngest region.
“Regional development requires operation beyond political and geographical boundaries,” he said.
NIR was created after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act 12000, or the NIR Act in June 2024.
It comprises Negros Occidental, including the highly-urbanized Bacolod City, as well as Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
“The people of the region travel in between its provinces, fueling the regional economy and its competitiveness,” Sagarbarria said.
The opening activity was led by DepDev-NIR Director Jam Colas-Villaber with Department of the Interior and Local Government-NIR Director Lailyn Ortiz and Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
The RDC’s five sector committees include the development administration committee, economic development committee, environment committee, social development committee and infrastructure development committee.
Other RDC Week events are scheduled on Sept. 22, heritage learning visit in Sibulan and Dumaguete City; Sept. 23, tree planting activity in Canlaon City and pickleball tournament in Dumaguete City; and Sept. 24, closing program in Dumaguete City.
The maiden observance also introduced the RDC Week logo, coming to life in an organic, dynamic visualization, with the NIR map at the center.
It has a sun element with a smiling face that represents the enthusiasm and energy of the region, as well as the dynamism and resilience of its people.
Sugarcane and other agricultural products also take the form of the NIR, showing its agricultural prowess.
The blue waters and palm tree elements represent some of the natural assets of the region that fuel tourism and the broader services sector.
Presidential Proclamation 1164, dated Feb. 24, 1998, states the RDC Week is to be observed every fourth week of September to commemorate the birth of the RDCs as key structures for regional planning and for integrated local planning and programming. (PNA)
