With the recent establishment of the Negros Island Region (NIR) through Republic Act 12000, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III designated officials as part of a transition team to enhance the delivery of services of his department to the NIR provinces.
The team is tasked to establish the operational structure of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) that will promote agricultural best practices and address the specific needs of agrarian reform beneficiaries in the newly organized region.
Estrella believes under the new law, the Department of Agrarian Reform and the other government agencies can provide greater focus in their development efforts in the region composed of Negros Occidental—including Bacolod City—Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
With Negros Island now considered part of a single region, the government can provide greater focus in its development efforts in the area. President Marcos signed the NIR Law last June 11.
The designated DAR officials for the NIR include regional director Lucresia Taberna, assistant regional directors Manuel Velasco and Sharlyn Lacuesta, regional chief agrarian reform program officer Ozelle Tellie Tarrosa, and budget officer Josieline Madera.
Estrella mandated the transition team to ensure that operations are streamlined, resources are efficiently allocated, and the goals of the agrarian reform program are effectively implemented.
Previously, Negros Island was divided into two separate regions—Negros Occidental belonged to Western Visayas, while Negros Oriental belonged to Central Visayas.
This setup led to various inefficiencies and delays in government services, including residents needing to travel by sea to regional centers located on other islands.
