NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
Senate
of till’ vptra-i*
*22 11-7 P 2 -17
SENATE 
S.B. K|o. 89
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NEGROS ISLAND REGION TO BE KNOWN AS
REGION XVIII
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Long split into two separate administrative regions, the provinces of Negros 
Occidental and Negros Oriental have both faced considerable challenges in 
efficiently accessing government services from their respective regional centers. 
Further, the administrative divide has barred the adjacent provinces from 
progressing apace of each other, given the disparities in their funding and other 
such bureaucratic differences.
Being twin provinces on the same island, and sharing many of the same natural 
resources and industries, the best course of governmental action would be to align 
Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental under a single administrative region.
Indeed, this logic has already led to the establishment of the Negros Island Region 
(NIR) in 2015, under Executive Order 183. This was a long-awaited victory for 
Negrenses who have lobbied for the NIR since the 1980s, as it finally brought the 
two provinces together under one administrative region, with the promise of equal 
opportunities for growth and progress.
The celebration was short-lived, however, because by 2017, Executive Order 38 
formally abolished the region, citing its costliness. The NIR will indeed entail 
additional costs on the part of the national government, but it is a necessary 
investment. In the long term, it would be more economically sound and efficient 
to have the two provinces under one administrative region.


Negros Island is a land of great potential. The NIR, given a fair chance, will be 
instrumental in harnessing that potential toward genuine progress and uplift for 
the people.
With the above stated reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
N MIGUEL F. ZUBIRI


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
im §s>tmx'
of I!)p
•22 JUL -7 P2:17
SENATE
Senate Bill No.
89
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NEGROS ISLAND REGION TO BE KNOWN AS
REGION XVIII
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
1 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the "Negros Isiand Administrative Region Act".
2 
SEC. 2. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote efficiency in the
3 
government to enable it to pursue programs consistent with national goals for accelerated
4 
social and economic development. Further, it will also enhance intergovernmental
5 
relations for efficient and effective delivery of services.
6 
Pursuant to this policy, the State, after due consultation with the appropriate local
7 
government units, government agencies, and the private sector, to formulate
8 
socioeconomic development programs in accordance with its mandate to promote a more
9 
equitable distribution of opportunities, income and wealth, and ensure a sustainable
10 
increase in the amount of goods and services provided for the benefit of the people.
11 
It is also the policy of the State that it shall promote administrative decentralization
12 
to strengthen the autonomy of the local government units and accelerate the economic
13 
and social growth and development of the region.
14 
SEC. 3. The Negros Island Region is hereby established to be known as Region XVIII.
15 
The NIR shall be composed of the following provinces, including the cities, municipalities,
16 
and barangays comprising the provinces of:
17 
1. Negros Occidental; and
18 
2. Negros Oriental
19 
SEC. 4. The same privileges under the rules and regulations covering the regions shall
20 
remain in force.
21 
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
22 
approval of this Act, the National Economic and Development Authority, in coordination
23 
with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, shall formulate the necessary
24 
rules and regulations for the establishment of the regional center. The implementing rules


1 
and regulations issued pursuant to this section shall take effect thirty (30) days after its
2 
publication in at least two (2) national newspaper of general circulation.
SEC. 6. Amendatory Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders and rules and regulations which 
are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,