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THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has inaugurated its new office in the Negros Island Region (NIR) on March 10.

鈥淎s an island region, the NIR holds distinct opportunities and needs. The NEDA-NIR office will play a pivotal role in crafting the region鈥檚 first Regional Development Plan (RDP) 鈥 a blueprint to harness growth, foster resilience, and ensure no community is left behind,鈥 NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said in a statement on Tuesday.

NEDA noted this will be the agency鈥檚 16th regional office.

NEDA will also facilitate the creation of a Regional Development Council following the May elections 鈥渢o enable a more coordinated approach to policymaking and investment programming in NIR.鈥

The Republic Act No. 12000, the Negros Island Act, provided for the establishment of the NEDA-NIR Regional Office to ensure effective public service delivery in the region.

The same law consolidated the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor into one administrative region. 鈥 Aubrey Rose A. Inosante