DOLE outlines interim operations for Negros Island Region

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 12000, or the Negros Island Region (NIR) Act, Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma signed Administrative Order No. 264, Series of 2025, establishing the interim Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) NIR Office on July 17, 2025.

The administrative order created the NIR Regional Office in Dumaguete City to supervise initial operations in the provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

The interim DOLE NIR will be headed by the regional director of DOLE Regional Office VII in a concurrent capacity.

All personnel currently assigned to DOLE offices in the three provinces will serve as the workforce of the newly created regional office.

DOLE’s attached agencies will also be established to deliver various services for the labor sector.

Existing offices in the provinces will continue to operate to ensure service continuity and form a comprehensive facility to address client needs.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) VI will retain coverage of Negros Occidental, while RTWPB VII will continue to oversee Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Both boards will closely coordinate on issues such as minimum wage determination and productivity until the RTWPB NIR is formally created.

An interim Regional Conciliation and Mediation Board (RCMB) NIR will be based in Dumaguete City and will initially include one representative each from RCMB VI and RCMB VII.

These representatives will also lead the setup of the regional office.

The National Conciliation and Mediation Board (NCMB) VI branch director will serve as regional director of RCMB-NIR in a concurrent capacity.

The RCMB Bacolod City satellite office will remain operational, considering the presence of numerous established companies in the area.

The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) Regional Arbitration Branch (RAB) in Bacolod City will serve as the NLRC-NIR Office.

Its current head and staff will expand services to include Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) offsite centers in Bacolod City and Dumaguete City for Regions VI and VII, respectively, will continue their programs and services in their areas.

The use of mobile facilities is encouraged to reach more clients across the region.

To ensure smooth and effective operations, Secretary Laguesma directed the interim regional office to identify challenges and develop strategic solutions.

Regional heads are also advised to hold consultations, build stakeholder collaborations, conduct capability training for personnel, and establish a feedback mechanism to address problems promptly.

Administrative Order No. 264, Series of 2025 takes immediate effect and will remain in force until further orders are issued.