Negros Island Region | |
---|---|
Country | Philippines |
Island group | Visayas |
Establishment | May 29, 2015 (first iteration) June 11, 2024 (second iteration) |
Regional centers | Bacolod and Dumaguete (interim/de facto) |
Largest city | Bacolod |
Area | |
• Total | 13,525.56 km2 (5,222.25 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 2,465 m (8,087 ft) |
Population (2020 census) [1] | |
• Total | 4,760,340 |
• Density | 350/km2 (910/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
Provinces | |
Independent cities | 1 |
Component cities | |
Municipalities | 44 |
Barangays | 1,353 |
Languages | |
GDP (2022 estimate) | ₱557.68 billion $9.5 billion |
The Negros Island Region (NIR) [2] is an administrative region in the Philippines. Covering both the islands of Negros and Siquijor, the region is composed of three provinces: Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, as well as the highly urbanized city of Bacolod, which is the most populous in the region. The regional centers are Bacolod and Dumaguete.
The first iteration of the region existed from May 29, 2015, to August 9, 2017, and comprised the provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental and the city of Bacolod, all of which are situated on the island of Negros. After nearly seven years, the region was re-established on June 11, 2024, this time with the inclusion of Siquijor, an island province located southeast of Negros that was formerly part of Central Visayas. [2] [3]
Negros has history as a single province and as a briefly independent republic. [4] The movement for a single-island region started in the 1980s, when officials from both provinces proposed a one-island, one-region unit. At the time, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental were the only provinces in the Philippines situated on the same island but belonging to two different administrative regions. Their regional offices were located in Panay and Cebu respectively. This led to the filing of House of Representatives Bill No. 1477 titled "An Act Merging the Province of Negros Occidental and Oriental into One-Island Region". This argued that the two provinces "nestle in one common island; have common fowls and beasts in the forest; share the same soil in our plains and mountains; benefit and suffer together from the rivers that snake through our land; and our ancestors roamed the same length and breadth without complications of political, social, economic, religious and lingual obstacles."
The proposal was continued through talks between Governor Daniel Lacson Jr. of Negros Occidental and Governor Emilio Macias of Negros Oriental in 1990. Their successors, Rafael Coscolluella and George Arnaiz, respectively, took the initiative further, first identifying Kabankalan in Negros Occidental and the neighboring municipality of Mabinay in Negros Oriental, with the two situated on or near the geographic center of the island, as joint regional centers. However, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) turned down the proposal due to a lack of funding. [5] At the same time, opposition was voiced by some officials from Negros Oriental who feared that the province would be dominated economically by its larger neighbor and Bacolod. [6]
In 2013, the one-island region talks were continued by Negros Oriental Representatives Pryde Henry Teves and George Arnaiz, and Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. with Representative Alfredo Marañon III and Coscolluela. [7] They pointed out that, while the creation of a new region would entail substantial costs to the government, it would be advantageous to the people of both provinces because they would not need to travel by sea any more to process transactions in the regional offices. [8] They also claimed that a one-island region would also result in better coordination between both provinces in tourism, peace and order, environment, development planning, disaster management, and road infrastructure. Edward Du, president of the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also proposed to convert existing offices of national agencies in the provincial capitals of Bacolod and Dumaguete to sub-regional offices during an interim period if the proposal was approved to defray the costs of establishing a new regional center. Various public officials and representatives from academic, religious, media, and other private sectors aired support for the proposal. [9] [10]
Notably, Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo was tagged as being initially opposed to the talks, claiming he was not convinced with a one-island region setup and that his constituents were allegedly not in favor of its creation. [11] He eventually clarified that his original stand as regards the region was being "open" to it and that there were some concerns, such as revenue sharing between the two provinces, that had to be thrashed out first. [12]
President Benigno Aquino III directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to study the establishment of a new region. [13] The DILG subsequently endorsed the proposal, noting that the new region would mean integrated planning for holistic development, disaster management, tourism promotion, and peace and order management. [14] NEDA affirmed by saying that its studies show that the proposed region is economically viable. [15]
On May 29, 2015, President Aquino III signed Executive Order 183, [16] merging the two Negros provinces into one region — the Negros Island Region. It separated Negros Occidental and its capital Bacolod from Western Visayas (Region VI) and Negros Oriental from Central Visayas (Region VII), raising the total number of regions of the Philippines to 18. [17] [18]
On August 9, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 38, revoking the Executive Order No. 183 after former Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno cited the cost of retaining the region to be at ₱19 billion. [19] Negros officials expressed disappointment and sadness over the dissolution of the NIR. [20]
In 2020, some officials from Negros and their allies proposed for the region's reestablishment. [19] A bill was also filed in July 2022, [21] [22] and in 2023, the proposal was again revived. [23] On March 12, 2024, JV Ejercito's Senate Bill No. 2507 or the Negros Island Region Bill was passed on the third and final reading at the Senate. [24] [25] [26] [27] Some new officials reiterated their intent for consultation first before reestablishment. [28] The measure was also opposed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dumaguete, with Bishop Julito Cortes and eight other senior clergy calling it an "insult" to the people of Negros Oriental and adding that residents of the province as well as Siquijor were not consulted on the matter. [29] [30] Wilfredo Capundag Jr., the mayor of San Juan, Siquijor, called for the region to be renamed into the Negros Island-Siquijor Administrative Region (NISAR) to acknowledge his province's inclusion. [31]
On June 11, 2024, the bill was signed by President Bongbong Marcos as Republic Act No. 12000. [2] [3] The re-established region, this time, included the nearby island province of Siquijor, upon the request of the provincial authorities; Siquijor, previously part of Region VII along with Negros Oriental, [32] was part of Negros Oriental until it became an independent province in 1971. [33] Sixteen regional government offices will be established in Dumaguete, while fourteen will be established in Bacolod. [34]
In August 2024, a civil society group from Dumaguete and Siquijor, Negros Oriental led by Reverend Father Hendrix Alar challenged the legality of Republic Act 12000, allegedly based on its lack of public consultations. It filed with the High Tribunal the petitions for declaratory relief, prohibition, and a temporary restraining order against the creation of the Negros Island Region. [35]
Negros Island Region consists of two islands: Negros (shared by Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental) and Siquijor. Together, the islands have a total area of 13,525.56 sq. km (5,222.25 sq. mi). Seas and straits surround both of the islands: the Guimaras Strait in the west, the Visayan Sea to the north, Tañon Strait to the east, Bohol Sea in the southeast, and Sulu Sea in the south. The region is defined by extensive flat plains and mountainous ranges that are present in both islands.
Negros is the second largest island in Visayas, after Samar, with an area of 13,309.60 square kilometers (5,138.87 sq ft). The island is primarily volcanic, making it suitable for agriculture. Extensive sugarcane plantations dominate the flat plains, cementing the island's reputation as a sugarcane powerhouse in the country. Mountains on the central section of the island bisect the island politically and linguistically: the Hiligaynon-speaking western half and the Cebuano-speaking eastern half. Kanlaon, one of the most active volcanones in the Philippines, is the highest point of Negros Island, with its peak situated at 2,465 meters (8,087 ft) above sea level. It is also the highest peak among all the islands in the island group of Visayas. Other prominent peaks include Mandalagan (1,885 m) and Mount Talinis (1,903 m). Lakes are present in the interior part of the island, such as the twin lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao. Beaches and several islets dominate the coastal areas of the island, such as Apo Island. Extensive forests dominate in the mountainous region of Northern Negros Natural Park, a protected area of the country situated in the northern portion of the island.
Siquijor is an island located southeast of Negros Oriental. Area-wise, it is the third smallest in the country, with an area of 343.5 square kilometers (132.6 sq mi). Mount Malabahoc, also known as Mount Bandila‑an, is the highest point of the island, with its elevation reaching 628 meters (2,060 ft) above sea level. Marine terraces can be found in San Juan, as well as fossils of the giant clam tridacna in the island's plowed inland fields.
The region has three provinces and 19 cities. Negros Occidental has the most chartered cities amongst all the provinces in the Philippines, with 13, including its provincial capital, Bacolod, though it is governed independently from its corresponding province as a highly urbanized city.
Bacolod, the center of the Bacolod Metropolitan Area (which also contains the cities of Talisay and Silay), is the region's most populous city and the country's 19th; while Dumaguete is the region's most densely populated city.
Bacolod and Dumaguete both serve as the regional centers of the region. [34]
Province orHUC | Capital | Population (2020) [1] | Area [36] | Density | Cities | Muni. | Bgy. | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | sq mi | /km2 | /sq mi | |||||||||
Negros Occidental | Bacolod | 63.1% | 2,623,172 | 7,802.54 | 3,012.58 | 340 | 880 | 12 | 19 | 601 | ||
Negros Oriental | Dumaguete | 34.5% | 1,432,990 | 5,385.53 | 2,079.36 | 270 | 700 | 6 | 19 | 557 | ||
Siquijor | Siquijor | 2.5% | 103,395 | 337.49 | 130.31 | 310 | 800 | 0 | 6 | 134 | ||
Bacolod | † | — | 14.4% | 600,783 | 162.67 | 62.81 | 3,700 | 9,600 | — | — | 61 | |
Total | 4,760,340 | 14,140.74 | 5,459.77 | 340 | 880 | 19 | 44 | 1,353 | ||||
† Bacolod is a highly urbanized city; figures are excluded from Negros Occidental. |
Province | Image | Governor | Political Party | Vice Governor | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eugenio Jose Lacson | NPC | Jeffrey Ferrer | |||
Manuel L. Sagarbarria | NPC | Jaime Reyes | |||
Jake Vincent Villa | NPC | Mei Ling Quezon-Brown |
City | Population (2020) [1] | Area [37] | Density | City class | Income class | Province | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
km2 | sq mi | /km2 | /sq mi | |||||
† Bacolod | 600,783 | 162.67 | 62.81 | 3,700 | 9,600 | Highly urbanized | 1st | Negros Occidental |
Bago | 191,210 | 401.20 | 154.90 | 480 | 1,200 | Component | 2nd | Negros Occidental |
Bais | 84,317 | 319.64 | 123.41 | 260 | 670 | Component | 3rd | Negros Oriental |
Bayawan | 122,747 | 699.08 | 269.92 | 180 | 470 | Component | 1st | Negros Oriental |
Cadiz | 158,544 | 524.57 | 202.54 | 300 | 780 | Component | 2nd | Negros Occidental |
Canlaon | 58,822 | 170.93 | 66.00 | 340 | 880 | Component | 4th | Negros Oriental |
† Dumaguete | 134,103 | 33.62 | 12.98 | 4,000 | 10,000 | Component | 2nd | Negros Oriental |
Escalante | 96,159 | 192.76 | 74.43 | 500 | 1,300 | Component | 4th | Negros Occidental |
Guihulngan | 102,656 | 388.56 | 150.02 | 260 | 670 | Component | 5th | Negros Oriental |
Himamaylan | 116,240 | 367.04 | 141.71 | 320 | 830 | Component | 3rd | Negros Occidental |
Kabankalan | 200,198 | 697.35 | 269.25 | 290 | 750 | Component | 1st | Negros Occidental |
La Carlota | 66,664 | 137.29 | 53.01 | 490 | 1,300 | Component | 4th | Negros Occidental |
Sagay | 148,894 | 330.34 | 127.54 | 450 | 1,200 | Component | 3rd | Negros Occidental |
San Carlos | 132,650 | 451.50 | 174.33 | 290 | 750 | Component | 2nd | Negros Occidental |
Silay | 130,478 | 214.80 | 82.93 | 610 | 1,600 | Component | 3rd | Negros Occidental |
Sipalay | 72,448 | 379.78 | 146.63 | 190 | 490 | Component | 4th | Negros Occidental |
Talisay | 108,909 | 201.18 | 77.68 | 540 | 1,400 | Component | 4th | Negros Occidental |
Tanjay | 82,642 | 276.05 | 106.58 | 300 | 780 | Component | 4th | Negros Oriental |
Victorias | 90,101 | 133.92 | 51.71 | 670 | 1,700 | Component | 4th | Negros Occidental |
Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
---|---|---|
1903 | 525,749 | — |
1918 | 688,584 | +1.82% |
1939 | 1,277,012 | +2.98% |
1948 | 1,583,651 | +2.42% |
1960 | 2,049,399 | +2.17% |
1970 | 2,219,022 | +0.80% |
1975 | 2,595,186 | +3.19% |
1980 | 2,820,060 | +1.68% |
1990 | 3,256,112 | +1.45% |
1995 | 3,533,189 | +1.54% |
2000 | 3,777,409 | +1.44% |
2010 | 4,285,591 | +1.27% |
2015 | 4,509,515 | +0.97% |
2020 | 4,760,340 | +1.07% |
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority [1] |
The native languages of Negros Island Region are:
The Visayas, or the Visayan Islands, are one of the three principal geographical divisions of the Philippines, along with Luzon and Mindanao. Located in the central part of the archipelago, it consists of several islands, primarily surrounding the Visayan Sea, although the Visayas are also considered the northeast extremity of the entire Sulu Sea. Its inhabitants are predominantly the Visayan peoples.
In the Philippines, regions are administrative divisions that primarily serve to coordinate planning and organize national government services across multiple local government units (LGUs). Most national government offices provide services through their regional branches instead of having direct provincial or city offices. Regional offices are usually but not necessarily located in the city designated as the regional center.
Siquijor, officially the Province of Siquijor, is a Philippine island province located within the Negros Island Region. Its largest town and capital is the municipality of Siquijor. The province lies south of Cebu, southeast of Negros Oriental, southwest of Bohol, and north of Mindanao.
Negros Oriental, officially the Province of Negros Oriental, is a province in the Philippines located in the Negros Island Region. Its capital is the city of Dumaguete, one of the two regional centers of Negros Island Region. It occupies the southeastern half of the large island of Negros, and borders Negros Occidental, which comprises the northwestern half. It also includes Apo Island, a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists.
Negros Occidental, officially the Province of Negros Occidental, is a province in the Philippines located in the Negros Island Region. Its capital is the city of Bacolod, of which it is geographically situated and grouped under by the Philippine Statistics Authority, but remains politically independent from the provincial government and also one of the two regional centers in Negros Island Region. It occupies the northwestern half of the large island of Negros, and borders Negros Oriental, which comprises the southeastern half. Known as the "Sugarbowl of the Philippines", Negros Occidental produces more than half the nation's sugar output.
Bacolod, officially the City of Bacolod, is a 1st class highly urbanized city in the Negros Island Region in the Philippines. With a total of 600,783 inhabitants as of the 2020 census, it is the most populous city in the Negros Island Region and the second most populous city in the entire Visayas after Cebu City.
Western Visayas is an administrative region in the Philippines, numerically designated as Region VI. The region comprises the islands of Panay and Guimaras. It consists of five provinces: Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo on Panay, and the island province of Guimaras. The region also includes one highly urbanized city, Iloilo City, which is the largest city and serves as the regional center.
Dumaguete, officially the City of Dumaguete, is a 2nd class component city and capital of the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 134,103 people. It is the most populous city and the smallest city by land area in Negros Oriental as well as one of the two regional centers in Negros Island Region.
Canlaon, officially the City of Canlaon, is a 4th class component city in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 58,822 people.
Kabankalan, officially the City of Kabankalan, is a 1st class component city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 323,108 people making it the second most populous city in Negros Occidental next to Bacolod. The city is applying for a Highly Urbanized City (HUC).
Sipalay, officially the City of Sipalay, is a 4th class component city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 72,448 people. It is the top tourist destination in the province of Negros Occidental.
The Negros Revolution, commemorated and popularly known as the Fifth of November or Negros Day, was a political movement that in 1898 created a government on Negros Island in the Philippines, ending Spanish control of the island and paving the way for a republican government run by the Negrense natives. The newly established Negros Republic lasted for approximately three months. American forces landed on the island unopposed on February 2, 1899, ending the island's independence. Negros was then annexed to the Philippine Islands on 20 April 1901.
The Diocese of Dumaguete is a diocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Its territory consists of the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor with the exception of the municipalities of La Libertad and Vallehermoso, and the cities of Guihulngan and Canlaon.
The Negrenses are the native cultural group of the Philippine provinces of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
The Palarong Pambansa is an annual multi-sport event involving student-athletes from 17 regions of the Philippines. The event, started in 1948, is organized and governed by the Department of Education.
Negros is the fourth largest and third most populous island in the Philippines, with a total land area of 13,309 km2 (5,139 sq mi). The coastal zone of the southern part of Negros is identified as a site of highest marine biodiversity importance in the Coral Triangle.
The Northern Negros Natural Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in the northern mountainous forest region of the island of Negros in the Visayas. It is spread over five municipalities and six cities in the province of Negros Occidental and is the province's largest watershed and water source for seventeen municipalities and cities including the Bacolod metropolitan area. The park was established first as a forest reserve spanning 107,727 hectares on 28 April 1935 through Administrative Act No. 789 signed by Governor-General Frank Murphy. On 7 August 1946, the Northern Negros Forest Reserve was reduced to its present area of 80,454.5 hectares with the signing of Proclamation No. 798 by President Manuel Roxas. In 2005, the protected area was converted into a natural park under the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act by virtue of Proclamation No. 895 signed by President Gloria Arroyo.
Central Visayas is an administrative region in the Philippines, numerically designated as Region VII. With only two provinces: Cebu and Bohol, as well as three highly urbanized cities: Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue, it has the fewest number of provinces out of any region in the country. Despite this, it is the most populous region in the Visayas, with a population of 6,545,603.
Negros was an administrative division of the Philippines, existing as a military district from 1734 to 1865, and a politico-military province from 1865 to 1890.
The Negros killings were a series of targeted assassinations carried out by unidentified gunmen in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental in the Philippines. Some of the victims involved were suspected communists or sympathizers. Following the killings, Memorandum Order No. 32 was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on November 23, 2018, upon the orders of President Rodrigo Duterte deploying additional troops to the provinces of Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Samar, and the Bicol Region to "suppress sporadic acts of violence" allegedly committed by lawless groups and to "prevent such violence from spreading and escalating elsewhere in the country." Even after the memorandum was signed, the incidence of killings continued. According to the Defend Negros Movement, the first recorded extrajudicial killing on Negros Island was Alexander Ceballos on January 20, 2017. The group also alleged that at least 84 persons have been killed since 2017.