Bacolod eyes PRO-NIR headquarters site

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The city government has signified its intention to donate a 4-hectare property in Barangay Vista Alegre for the permanent headquarters of the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region.

City Administrator Mark Mayo said in a media interview Tuesday that an assessment will be conducted to determine the specific area within the 17-hectare vacant property at the Abada Arao Relocation Site.

Mayo said a survey will identify viable access roads and determine what arrangement would be most beneficial to the city and the police.

The plan began with a request from former PRO-NIR director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay when he met with Mayor Greg Gasataya, Mayo said.

The city later studied the proposal and identified an available property, he added.

PRO-NIR is temporarily based inside the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office at Camp Alfredo Montelibano Sr. in Barangay Estefania.

Mayo said the city sees an advantage in hosting the police regional office.

“It will help improve the peace and order situation in the city,” he added.

PRO-NIR is the Philippine National Police’s regional office for the Negros Island Region, which was created under Republic Act No. 12000 and comprises Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

The PNP officially activated PRO-NIR as its 18th police regional office in March 2025 to strengthen law enforcement and improve police services in the newly established region.

Recently, acting PRO-NIR regional director Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño met with Sagay City officials in Negros Occidental to discuss the proposed donation of a lot for the regional headquarters.

In 2024, officials also raised the possibility of establishing the regional headquarters within a 500-hectare property owned by Central Philippines State University in Barangay Tagucon, Kabankalan City.

However, final plans had yet to be confirmed at the time.

Meanwhile, the PRO-NIR Chaplain Service blessed a 3-hectare lot Wednesday during the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Regional Special Training Unit-NIR in Barangay General Luna, Sagay City.