Strengthening secondary growth centers is vital to sustaining the development of the Negros Island Region (NIR) after its economy expanded by 5.7 percent in 2025.

This was among the highlights discussed during the 2025 Economic Performance of the Province of Negros Occidental and City of Bacolod: Provincial Product Accounts Dissemination Forum of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) held at Acacia Hotel here Thursday.

“The NIR is the third-fastest growing economy in the entire Philippines. We have sustained that from the previous year. Let’s continue to sustain it,” Ma. Goretti Novilla, chief statistical specialist of the PSA-NIR Statistical Operations and Coordination Division, said during the open forum.

Data showed the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew from PHP635.47 billion in 2024 to PHP671.68 billion in 2025.

The NIR, formed through Republic Act 12000 in June 2024, comprises Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and the highly urbanized Bacolod City, which is the region’s primary business, finance, and services hub.

OIC-Assistant Regional Director Marlon Jinon of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development – NIR, underscored the need to strengthen secondary growth centers by accelerating investments in infrastructure, connectivity, and economic support services in emerging provincial hubs.

“This would promote a more balanced spatial distribution of economic activity, reduce development disparities, and broaden the sources of regional growth,” he added.

Jinon said the NIR enters the 2026-2028 planning period with strong economic fundamentals, sustained growth, and increasing regional output.

“However, long-term competitiveness will depend on achieving a more balanced development pattern that strengthens agriculture and industry while sustaining the dynamism of the services sector,” he added.

Jinon pointed out that addressing productivity gaps, improving connectivity, and expanding opportunities beyond existing growth centers will be critical to achieving inclusive and resilient regional development.

PSA data showed the economy of Bacolod City expanded by 6.8 percent in 2025, although slower than the 7.6 percent growth it posted in 2024.

The city’s GDP grew from PHP157.22 billion in 2024 to PHP167.92 billion in 2025.

Negros Occidental posted an economic growth of 4.2 percent in 2025, also slower than its 4.9 percent growth in the previous year.

The province’s GDP was estimated at PHP288.27 billion in 2025, up from PHP276.68 billion in 2024. (PNA)