EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
71 NQV 17 m :12
SENATE
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NEGROS ISLAND ADMINISTRATIVE REGION TO BE
KNOWN AS REGION XVllI
EXPLANATORY NOTE
On 29 May 2015, former President Benigno Aquino III allowed for the creation of 
the Negros Island Region through Executive Order 183. On 9 August 2017, however. 
President Rodrigo Duterte revoked the same through Executive Order 38.
This bill seeks to establish the Negros Island Administrative Region to be known 
as Region XVIII. This will be comprised of the province of Negros Occidental, which is 
currently part of Region VI or Western Visayas, including Bacolod City, as well as the 
province of Negros Oriental, which is at present a part of Region VII or Central Visayas.
With the establishment of this region, and considering the geography of the 
Island, we hope to encourage better synergy among the two provinces and other 
political units and promote a more effective and efficient delivery of basic services to the 
more than 4 million Negrense in the region. It is likewise envisioned to accelerate 
economic and social growth in the region.
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
IGUEL F. ZUBIRI


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE
■21 NOV 17 Pir.12
Senate Bill No. 2453
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NEGROS ISLAND ADMINISTRATIVE REGION TO BE
KNOWN AS REGION XVIII
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Negros Island Region Act".
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SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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promote efficiency in the government to enable it to pursue programs consistent with
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national goals for accelerated social and economic development. Further, it will also
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enhance intergovernmental relations for efficient and effective delivery of services.
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Pursuant to this policy, the State, after due consultation with the appropriate
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local government units, government agencies, and the private sector, to formulate
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socioeconomic development programs in accordance with its mandate to promote a
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more equitable distribution of opportunities, income and wealth, and ensure a
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sustainable increase in the amount of goods and services provided for the benefit of the
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people.
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It is also the policy of the State that it shall promote administrative
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decentralization to strengthen the autonomy of the local government units and
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accelerate the economic and social growth and development of the region.
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SEC. 3. Negros Island Region. - The Negros Island Region (NIR) is hereby
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established to be known as Region XVIII. The NIR shall be composed of the following
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including their respective cities, municipalities, and barangays:
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1. Negros Occidental;
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2. Negros Oriental; and
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3. Bacolod City.
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SEC. 4. Privileges of the Negros Island Region. - The same privileges under the
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rules and regulations covering the regions shall remain in force.


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SEC. 5. Establishment of the Regional Center. - The national government shall
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establish a Regional Center in the Negros Island Region which shall be the location of
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the regional offices of the various Departments and national government agencies in the
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Executive Branch. The various Departments and national government agencies are
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mandated to establish their respective regional offices in the NIR.
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SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
8 
Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of various agencies.
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Thereafter, the amount needed for the implementation of this Act shall be included in
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the annual General Appropriations Act.
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SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
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approval of this Act, the National Economic and Development Authority, in coordination
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with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, shall formulate the
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necessary rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act. The implementing
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rules and regulations issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days
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after its publication in at least two (2) national newspaper of general circulation.
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SEC. 8. Amendatory Clause. - The pertinent provisions of Executive Order No. 292
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otherwise known as the Administrative Code of the Philippines, which are inconsistent
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with this Act, are hereby amended accordingly.
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SEC. 9. Separability Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders and rules and regulations
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which are inconsistent with this 
Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified
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accordingly.
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SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. - 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,