Central Visayas’ Economy to Remain Strong Sans Negros Oriental – NEDA 7

The economy of Central Visayas will remain strong even after Negros Oriental was taken away to form part of the Negros Island Region (NIR), an economic planner said.

Efren Carreon, National Economic and Development Authority in Central Visayas (NEDA) director, said Central Visayas “will remain strong” as far as its economic stability is concerned even if Negros Oriental is no longer part of the region.

The region is now left with the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor.

On May 29, President Benigno Aquino III signed Executive Order 183 (EO 183) declaring the NIR which comprises all cities, municipalities and barangays of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental.

Negros Occidental used to be part of Western Visayas or Region 6 while Negros Oriental was part of Central Visayas or Region.

Quoting Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto, who is also chair of the Regional Development Council 7, Carreon noted the socio-economic relations between Negros Oriental and the rest of Region 7 will continue “despite the new region.”

The air, land and sea transport links established for several years have already boosted the trade and commerce relations among the provinces, he said.

But Carreon said the population and total land area of CV will definitely decrease.

But he said the regional poverty incidence will improve considering that Negros Oriental had the highest poverty incidence in 2012 compared to the other three provinces.

The province is among the poorest ones in the country.

“Under the new set-up,” he said, “there will be some adjustments in governance and regional planning.”

He said this development is likely not to affect CV’s economy as Cebu and Bohol have more significant share to economic activity especially in the areas of tourism, manufacturing, construction and information technology and business process outsourcing. (PNA) FFC/EB/EBP