Manila, Feb. 7 -- The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is aiming to form a synergy between Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor as it transitions to establish an office for the Negros Island Region (NIR).

"Our challenge is to create a synergy between Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor," NEDA-NIR concurrent officer-in-charge Regional Director Arecio Casing Jr. said during the opening of the agency's temporary office at the Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) Alijis Campus in this city on Thursday.

Casing, who is also the regional director of NEDA-Western Visayas (Region 6), said the NIR transition team faces the challenge of regaining the economic development that was reduced to half...