THE Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) is now preparing for the activation of Police Regional Office (PRO)-Negros Island Region (NIR) headquarters in Bacolod City this week.
This was after the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 12000, also known as the NIR Act, which includes Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, was published on February 3.
After 15 days, the region will be fully operational.
Captain Judesses Catalogo, spokesperson of the Nocppo, said on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, that they are only waiting a directive from the Philippine National Police (PNP) national office for the opening of PRO-NIR inside the Camp Alfredo M. Montelibano Sr., where Nocppo is also located, in Barangay Estefania, Bacolod City.
He said personnel from Camp Crame already inspected the site at Nocppo and they are now preparing for the physical arrangement of the PRO-NIR offices.
“Nocppo is the possible area to be utilized as the venue for the ceremonial activation of PRO-NIR,” he added.
Catalogo noted that they do not know yet who will be the guests for the ceremonial activation of PRO-NIR (including the PRO-NIR regional director).
“We still have no idea who will be the PRO-NIR regional director, as well as its staff and officials,” Catalogo said.
He said in 2024, they also conducted an inventory of their personnel that will be assigned to the PRO-NIR, including the personnel from Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office, and Bacolod City Police Office.
On June 13, 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12000, or the NIR Act, which established the new region composed of Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
Prior to the NIR’s creation, Negros Occidental was part of Region 6 (Western Visayas), while Negros Oriental and Siquijor were governed by Region 7 (Central Visayas). (MAP)