Negros Oriental leads NIR development, set for tourism boost

Negros Oriental's improved security and economic situation position it as a leader in the development of the newly-formed Negros Island Region (NIR), according to Senator Francis Tolentino.

Tolentino, who authored the NIR Act, believes that tourism will increase following improvements in peace and order, noting more than 500,000 tourists are expected to visit the province as conditions have stabilized.

Former Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., also running for senator, highlighted significant progress since security concerns peaked in 2023 with no election-related violence reported during the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Tolentino emphasized that a law professor at Silliman University, he expressed confidence that tourism and businesses will benefit from improved peace and order under the reconstituted region.

The senator pointed out that the regional police force now would be concentrated, unlike when Negros Oriental was grouped with Cebu and Bohol as part of Central Visayas (Region 7).