THE POSSIBLE re-establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR), which will carve out Negros Occidental from Western Visayas, has huge economic implications for Region 6. According to Nelida Amolar, the officer-in-charge of the Philippine Statistics Authority for Region 6, this geopolitical shift could slash the region’s economic output by a staggering 40 percent. Such a substantial reduction indeed poses daunting challenges, but it also offers an opportunity for strategic recalibration.
Negros Occidenta’’s contribution to Western Visayas is undeniably substantial, particularly when considering the economic boom in Bacolod City. The “City of Smiles” has been instrumental in bolstering the region’s economy, which as of 2023, had grown by 7.2 percent, marking Western Visayas the second fastest-growing regional economy in the Philippines. The potential extraction of such a vital component from the region’s economic structure could derail the momentum Western Visayas has gained over recent years.
The forecasted economic diminution due to the departure of Negros Occidental should prompt the remaining provinces in Region 6 — Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo — to amplify their economic frameworks. They must explore innovative growth strategies that not only compensate for the impending economic vacuum but also harness unique local capabilities and resources. There is an urgent need for a robust economic contingency plan that emphasizes sustainable development, diversification of industries, and bolstering sectors that have shown resilience and growth potential, such as tourism, agriculture, and technology.
Inter-regional collaboration could prove beneficial, too. Strengthening economic ties with neighboring regions, even with NIR itself, could mitigate some of the adverse effects expected from the separation. Such collaborations could involve shared infrastructure projects, joint tourism initiatives, and cooperative economic zones, thereby creating new opportunities for growth and development.
While the revival of NIR and the consequent economic recalibrations for Western Visayas pose significant challenges, they also offer a unique opportunity to rethink and reshape the region’s economic landscape. This is a moment for Western Visayas to innovate, ensuring it not only recovers from its short-term losses but also emerges as a stronger, more dynamic economy in the long run.
