BACOLOD City – The re-establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) will enhance, not diminish, the economic performance of Western Visayas, according to the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI).
MBCCI chief executive officer Frank Carbon refuted concerns that NIR would negatively impact Region 6.
A statistical specialist from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Region 6 noted that Bacolod City and Negros Occidental significantly contribute to the overall inflation rates of Western Visayas.
“Their separation will certainly have a huge effect on the overall inflation rate of Region 6,” said Miguel Gallego during a press conference on the regional Consumer Price Index for May 2024.
Carbon, however, emphasized the positive economic impact of integrating Negros Oriental and the province of Siquijor with Negros Occidental.
He believes this will enhance NIR’s economic performance and create a spill-over effect benefiting Panay Island and Region 6.
“For the business sector, the islands of Panay and Negros are considered ‘one economic market’ with a population of about 10 million people with high purchasing power,” Carbon explained.
He highlighted the economic synergy that would improve the attractiveness of both regions to billion-peso investments.
While the gross domestic product (GDP) value of goods manufactured and services rendered in Region 6 might decrease, it does not mean Panay and Guimaras will be poorer compared to Negros Island, Carbon argued.
“Region 6’s ability to attract investments and generate jobs will remain. In fact, NIR will enhance it,” he asserted.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12000, mandating the creation of the Negros Island Region, on June 13./PN
