P3.6 billion budget eyed for NIR offices

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A total of P3.6 billion, spread out over three years, is proposed to be allotted to establish regional offices for the newly created Negros Island Region (NIR), Sen. JV Ejercito said on Tuesday.

Under Republic Act 12000 or the NIR Act, Congress has to allocate funds for the new region and “it’s the congressmen’s job to include” the fund allocation in the General Appropriations Act proposed by the House of Representatives, Ejercito said.

He said the NIR budget would be reviewed by the Senate.

“We will augment or supplement the amount if needed, when it reaches the Senate,” he said.

The NIR Act was signed into law by President Marcos last month.