The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) is optimistic that the newly created Negros Island Region (NIR) will be included in the national budget for 2025.

NOCCI president Edward Du told the Philippine News Agency on Saturday that all is not lost despite the recent pronouncement of Senator Imee Marcos that the NIR’s proposed budget missed the 2025 National Expenditure Program (NEP).

The senator was in Bacolod City on Thursday for the Philippine Councilors League gathering, attended by Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria and other NIR officials.

“The National Expenditure Program is the President’s budget proposal. Since the NIR was signed into law after the preparation of the NEP, congressional insertions can still be made because annual funding for NIR is mandated in Republic Act 12000,” Du said.

Senator Marcos explained that even before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed the NIR into law in June, the 2025 NEP was already completed.

RA 12000 created the NIR, comprising the provinces of Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental and Siquijor.

Du said it is now up to the legislators of the provinces to lobby for NIR’s budget when deliberations start.

Meanwhile, the NIR technical working group will convene in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental next week to tackle the NIR implementing rules and regulations, Du said.

He said the business sector here is hoping that the NIR will be operational already by 2025, considering that 16 national government agencies will have their regional offices in Negros Oriental. (PNA)