President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos met with the local chief executives of Negros Occidental and the heads of regional line agencies including NEDA Western Visayas’ OIC-Regional Director Arecio A. Casing, Jr. last October 23, 2022 in Bacolod City. RD Casing of the National Economic and Development Authority 6 presented an overview of the socioeconomic status of the region and highlighted its development directions.

The topic on Renewable Energy and the possibility of a joint venture initiative between the LGU and the private sector for local community distribution was also discussed. Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez said that this initiative should be explored to lower the price of electricity in the country.

President Marcos highlighted the need to address problems on agricultural production and the African Swine Flu (ASF) presence in the island of Panay. The President was also briefed on the various social protection programs, job assistance, and trade/industry promotion activities in the region.

PBBM visited the City of Bacolod upon the invitation of Mayor Albee Benitez to grace the MassKara Festival celebration. The meeting was also attended by Cabinet Secretaries from the Office of the Special Assistant to the President and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. Heads of regional line agencies from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Labor and Employment were also in attendance to present their major programs, projects and accomplishments. (RADeJuan/NEDA VI)