Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson*
The Negros Island Region is expected to be fully operational in 2027 when its regional offices will be 100 percent staffed with full operating budgets, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said on Friday, March 7.
In 2026 the regional offices are expected to be operating with 50 percent of their targeted staff, he said.
The majority of NIR regional offices are now functional and sourcing their funds from Regions 6 and 7, Lacson said.
The first coordination meeting of the NIR regional directors was convened by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) on Wednesday.
The regional directors were directed to prepare their operational manuals, which should be completed in the second quarter of this year.
This is part of the preparations for the creation of the NIR Regional Development Council after the May elections, the governor said.
Many of the regional offices have been created, but among those that have not appointed regional directors yet are the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police, Lacson said.*