Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 12000)
The short title of Republic Act No. 12000 is the "Negros Island Region Act".
The policy of the State is to promote efficiency in the government to pursue programs consistent with national goals for accelerated social and economic development, promote administrative decentralization to strengthen local autonomy, and accelerate the economic, cultural, and social development of the region.
The Negros Island Region is composed of the provinces of Negros Occidental including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, including their respective cities, municipalities, and barangays.
Regional offices are established cluster-wise and geographically designated: Agriculture and Land-Related, Peace and Order and Security, and Governance Clusters in Negros Occidental; Human Development, Infrastructure, and Industry and Labor Clusters in Negros Oriental.
The Agriculture and Land-Related Cluster includes the Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development.
The TWG is tasked to formulate the plan or roadmap for institutional arrangements for the Negros Island Region, organize development requirements, coordinate development planning, investment programming, and public service provision. The DILG serves as its secretariat.
The TWG consists of representatives from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Governors of the provinces, and elected Members of the House of Representatives of the provinces.
The initial funding will be charged against the current year's appropriations of concerned agencies, and thereafter, funds for implementation will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
The IRR shall be promulgated within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of the Act by the DILG, NEDA, and DBM in consultation with the provincial governments of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
The Separability Clause states that if any provision is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect.