PNoy to gov't agencies: Help Negros Island Region transition

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has ordered national government agencies to assist in the transition to the Negros Island Region (NIR).

Aquino's directive was issued through Memorandum Circular 81, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. on August 6.

Under the memo, all heads of national government agencies are directed "to extend full assistance to the NIR-Technical Working Group, in support of the required actions for transition to the NIR, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations, as follows:

Undertake preliminary transition measures, including the designation of Interim Regional Directors, not later than October 1, 2015;

Complete transition measures by January 1, 2016, in time for the opening of the NIR;

Organize and/or establish Regional Offices (ROs), including ROs for attached agencies, in either Bacolod City or Dumaguete City, in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the DBM, and until such time that the Regional Center is developed; and

Program the transfer of data and other assets of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental from Region VI and Region VII, respectively, into the new NIR."

On May 29, Aquino signed Executive Order 183 creating the NIR, composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

The executive order provided for the creation of the NIR-Technical Working Group composed of representatives of the Office of the President, Department of Budget and Management, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government and representatives of the two provinces.

It also tasked the NIR-TWG to arrange the requirements for organizational development, staffing, and budgeting of regional line and regulatory agencies.