The Philippine National Police (PNP) officially activated the Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) in a historic move to strengthen security in the Visayas at rites held at the Acacia Hotel Convention Center in Bacolod City Thursday afternoon, March 27.
Brig. Gen. Jack Limpayos Wanky, Western Visayas police regional director, has been designated officer-in-charge (OIC) of the PRO-NIR in a concurrent capacity.
Col. Dennis Araño Esguerra assumed the post of OIC Deputy Regional Director for Administration; Col. Gilbert Tanchuan Gorero – OIC Chief of Regional Staff; and Col. Ronaldo Planco Palomo – Regional Operations Management Division OIC.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, in a statement, said the activation of the PRO-NIR was based on the Jan. 9, 2025, resolution of the National Police Commission (Napolcom) under Republic Act (RA) 12000, which established the NIR.
It will have supervision over the Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor police forces.
“The activation of Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region marks a significant step in ensuring a more responsive and community-oriented policing system,” Marbil said.
“This reorganization reflects our commitment to upholding peace and order, as well as our dedication to serving and protecting the people of Negros Island and its neighboring provinces,” he added.
MORE REG’L OFFICES
Undersecretary for Peace and Order Nestor Sanares of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, who was the keynote speaker at the activation rites, said the DILG is also preparing to activate the Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology regional offices for the NIR soon.
Additional PNP personnel will be assigned to the PRO NIR, Senares also said, pointing out that they will have a recruitment in May.
“We are recruiting more for the whole country but the NIR will be a priority because it is new,” he said.
”Definitely there will be more policemen for the NIR, I just can’t remember how many”, Senares said.
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla is also giving firetrucks to each municipality, he said.
The NIR will also be receiving patrol cars and motorcycles for the PNP in 2027, Sanares said.
“This event signifies a new beginning for all Negrenses… the DILG is dedicated to supporting this region and maximizing its potential,” he said.
Sanares said the PRO NIR will enhance police efficiency contributing to the overall national peace and order,” he said.
“PRO NIR will foster community relations and address vulnerabilities, particularly in the isolated areas,” he said.
REGIONAL OFFICE
Wanky said they will be working on building the facilities for the PNP NIR and personnel.
We have to hit the ground running, he said.
Wanky said he will be holding office in Bacolod and Iloilo since he heads the NIR and Western Visayas police regional offices.
The NIR PNP regional office will temporarily be at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City, he said.
“But we have funds now for the construction of the NIR headquarters, we are just looking for a location,” he said.
Wanky said building the PRO NIR regional office in Kabankalan is one of their options.
He will work towards making the NIR a safe, peaceful and orderly place to live in, and to invest and do business in, Wanky said.*