Negros Occ. Approves 3-Year Development, Investment Plan

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental three-year Provincial Development and Investment Plan (PDIP) for 2026–2028 and the 2026 Annual Investment Program were approved during the second quarter joint meeting of the Provincial Development Council (PDC), Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC).

The PDIP includes projects and programs from the provincial government, national line agencies and non-government organizations across sectors such as environmental protection, economic growth, social services, infrastructure and governance.

The joint meeting was presided over by Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson at the Capitol Social Hall on Wednesday morning.

Attendees included local chief executives, civil society organization (CSO) representatives, heads of national and provincial line agencies, police and military officials, and department and office heads from the Capitol.

Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz presented updates on the provincial government’s peace and order initiatives in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police.

Programs include transformative mediation workshops, peace service caravans, tripartite insurance coverage for barangay officials, tanods, barangay health workers (BHWs) and barangay nutrition scholars (BNS), and financial assistance to former rebels.

PPOC and PADAC members also reported on their agency programs and accomplishments related to peace and order and anti-illegal drug efforts.

Department of the Interior and Local Government–Negros Occidental Director Teodora Sumagaysay gave updates on the Retooled Community Support Program and the Support to Barangay Development Program.

The council approved a resolution commending Governor Lacson on his appointment as chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council for the Negros Island Region and expressed full support for his leadership.

Another resolution was passed commending various agencies and uniformed personnel for ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of the 2025 national and local elections.