Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said an annual allocation of P1.2 billion over the next three years for the establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) has been recommended.
The NIR Act is now a law so Congress has no choice but to allocate funds for it, Ejercito, who has roots in Negros Occidental, said on Tuesday, July 23.
The new region, composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, is expected to be operational by the end of the year.
He said the budget for the NIR will have to be included in the proposed General Appropriations Act by members of the Lower House for review by the Senate.
The budget emanates from the Lower House, Ejercito, who was a principal author of the NIR bill in the Senate, pointed out.
He said the NIR budget will then be reviewed when the proposed GAA is forwarded to the Senate.
“We will augment or supplement the amount if needed when it reaches the Senate”, Ejercito said.
The P1.2 billion annual allocation will be used for the establishment of the regional offices, he said.
Ejercito said the NIR will bring government services closer to the people of Negros and Siquijor.
He is optimistic the NIR will stimulate economic growth in tourism, agriculture and other industries in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, Ejercito said.*