RDC-NIR pushes road links, Siquijor airport upgrade

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson said the Regional Development Council of the Negros Island Region (RDC-NIR) will push for improved road connectivity between the two Negros provinces and the upgrade of the Siquijor airport.

Lacson told Capitol media over the weekend that these priorities were discussed during the organizational meeting of the RDC-NIR held last Wednesday in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.

Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Chaco Sagarbarria was elected RDC chair, with Tina Gaston of the Association of Negros Producers chosen as co-chair.

Lacson said Sagarbarria also committed to helping upgrade the Siquijor airport into an international airport.

He explained that every region has an RDC, “where the planning comes in.”

Lacson added that the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev), formerly the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), serves as the council’s secretariat.

“They will be collating all our proposals and bring them to the national government,” he said.

“We cannot have projects unless these pass through the RDC, since we will expect national funding,” he added.

Lacson also said they expect NIR to have its own budget soon, particularly for personnel expenses, which are already included in the proposed 2026 budget.

However, funding for infrastructure projects in the region is expected to be available only in 2027, he said.

Lacson was also elected chairperson of the economic development committee and designated chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council of NIR.

Lailyn Ortiz, officer-in-charge of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in NIR, was named chairperson of the development administration committee, with Carmenia Benosa of Little Children of the Philippines Foundation Inc. as co-chair.

Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria was appointed chairperson of the infrastructure development committee, with businessman Eduard Du of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry as co-chair.

Canlaon City Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas was elected chairperson of the social development committee, with Profetiza Lim of the Negros Oriental Union of Cooperatives as co-chair.

Siquijor Governor Jake Vincent Villa also attended the meeting.

The list of elected officials of the RDC-NIR will be submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for final appointment.