NegOccPDPFP 2008-2013

Province of Negros Occidental
PROVINCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK PLAN

2008-2013
Formulated with technical assistance from the National Economic and Development Authority and the Asian Development Bank using the Guidelines on Strengthening Provincial/Local Planning and Expenditure Management
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 1. Historical Background 2. Plan Objective and Context 3. Coverage of the Plan 4. Outline of the Plan 1 3 5 7
II. VISION / MISSION
III. THE PLANNING ENVIRONMENT 1. Location, Land Area and Political Subdivision 2. Population and Settlements 3. Physical Resources 4. Economy 5. Transportation, Access and Circulation 6. Income, Employment, Service Access, and Poverty 7. Land Use and Physical Framework 11 15 42 72 92 99 133
IV. DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, GOALS, OBJECTIVES/ TARGETS 1. Development Issues and Problems 2. Development Goals, Objectives and Targets 154 158
V. STRATEGIES, PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND ACTIVITIES
162
VI. ANNEXES
LIST OF MAPS
Map 1 Map 2 Map 3 Map 4 Map 5a Map 5b Map 6 Map 7 Map 8 Map 9 Map 10 Map 11 Map 12 Map 13 Map 14 Map 15 Map 16 Map 18 Map 19 Map 20 Map 22 Map 24 Map 25 Map 26 Map 27 Map 28 Map 29 Map 30 Map 31 Map 32
Regional Location Map Negros Occidental Province Map Population Density Map, by City/Municipality 1990, 2000 and 2007 Census Annual Population Growth Rates, by City/Municipality 1990, 2000 and 2007 Built up Areas Existing Hierarchy of Settlements Slope Map Geologic Map Climate Map Land Classification Map Land Suitability Map Protection Areas Map Agriculture Production Land Use Map Industries with Best and Declining Potentials External Linkages and Internal Circulation Routes Map Location of Health Facilities Location of Education Facilities Location of Security Facilities Location of Water and Sanitation Facilities Location of Power Facilities Location of Solid Waste Facilities Province of Negros Occidental, Existing Land Use Initial Settlements Growth Initial Settlements Growth and Protection Land Use Settlements Framework Protection Framework Production Framework Transport/Infra Framework Physical Framework Project Location
12 13 23 29 33 40 45 52 54 57 59 71 90 91 98 107 113 116 119 122 125 134 138 141 144 146 150 152 153 166
ii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3
PDPFP Framework 2007 Population of Negros Occidental by municipality/city 2007 Population Density of Negros Occidental by municipality/city 2007 Population Growth Rate of Negros Occidental by municipality/city Protected Areas and Watershed in Negros Occidental Mt. Kanlaon Volcanic Lava Flow Hazard Map Mt. Kanlaon Pyroclastic Flow and Lahar Hazard Map Ground Water Availability Map Overall Distribution of the Regional Economy Share Diagram, Agriculture: Shares of Total Family Income by HH Head, Business/Industry, Region VI, 2000 Histogram, Specialization: Shares of Total Family Income by HH Head, Business/Industry, 2000 Poverty Incidence Map of Negros Occidental The planning environment, development issues/problems, strategies and PPAs.
Figure 4
Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10
36 66 66 70 72 76
Figure 11
76
Figure 12 Figure 13
127 154
iii
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Table 7 Table 8 Table 9 Table 10 Table 11 Table 12 Table 13 Table 14 Table 15 Table 16 Table 17 Table 18 Table 19 Table 20 Table 20 Table. 21 Table 22 Table 23 Table 24 Table 25
Land Area of Cities and Municipalities in Negros Occidental by District Region 6 Population, Annual Population Growth Rate, Density, Area by Province, Philippines, 1995, 2000, 2007 Population size, annual population growth rate, land area, Density, by cities/municipalities Population shares, cumulative population shares, Additional Population by city/municipality Estimated Population & Density, Negros Occidental, by City Municipality, 2008, 2010, 2013 Area and Percentage Distribution by Slope Category Seven Major Rivers in Negros Occidental Land Classification, by Municipality/City and Congressional District Hazard Assessment Profile in Negros Occidental Cost of Damage of Calamities and Hazard in Negros Occidental Irrigation Development in Negros Occidental Data Matrix: Total Family Income (P Million) by Household Head, by kind of Business/Industries, 2000 Joint Probability Shares of Family Income (%) by Household Head by Kind of Business/Industry, 2000 Concentration: Total Family Income (%) by Household Head, by Kind of Business/Industry, 2000 Specialization: Total Family Income (%) by Household Head, by Kind of Business/Industry, 2000 Cane Production, Negros Occidental, Crop Year 2004-2005 to 2006-2007 Location Quotients: Total Family Income by Household Head, by Kind of Business/Industry, 2000 Employment/Unemployment Rate, 2000-2003 Total & Average Family Income, Region VI, by Province, 1994, 1997, 2000 Real Per Capita Income/Province (1994, 1997, 2000) Local Service Standards Area Distribution of Existing Land Uses, CY 2003 (Ha) Land Use Changes, 1990-2007, Province of Negros Occidental Development Issues and Problems Development Goals, Objectives, and Targets Strategies, Program, Projects and Activities
14 16 18 19 30 43 46 56 65 65 69 73 74 75 75 77 78 100 101 102 128 133 136 156 159 163 iv
ACRONYMS
A&D AFMA AIP AMCR ANP APGR BFP BPO BREDCO BRIS BSWM BWFR C/M CARP CCAP CDP CENECO CFRM CHED CHICKS CIF CIS CLUP CSF CVO CY DA DENR DepEd DILG DPWH
Alienable and Disposable Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act Annual Investment Program Average Monthly Crime Rate Association of Negros Producers Annual Population Growth Rate Bureau of Fire Protection Business Process Outsourcing Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. Bago River Irrigation System Bureau of Soils and Water Management Bago Watershed Forest Reserve City/Municipal Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Call Center Association of the Philippines Comprehensive Development Plan Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc. Coastal Fisheries Resource Management Program Commission on Higher Education Cauayan, Hinobaan, Ilog, Candoni, Kabankalan and Sipalay Countryside in Figures Communal Irrigation Systems Comprehensive Land Use Plan Common Service Facilities Civilian Volunteer Organization Calendar Year Department of Agriculture Department of Environment & Natural Resources Department of Education Department of Interior and Local Government Department of Public Works and Highways i
DRR & CCA DSWD DTI EDC ESWM FHSIS FIES FNRI GTH HEARTS Plus
Disaster Risk Reduction & Climate Change Adaptation Department of Social Welfare and Development Department of Trade & Industry Energy Development Corporation Ecological Solid Waste Management Field Health Services Information System Family Income and Expenditure Survey Food and Nutrition Research Institute gifts, toys, house ware Health, Environment, Agriculture, Roads and other Infrastructure, Tourism, Trade & Investments, Social Services, including Education; Personnel and Human Resource Development, Livelihood and Employment Opportunities, Urban Planning and Rural Development, and Systems and Governance Household Head Human Development Index International Bird Area Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve Inter-Local Health Zone Indigenous People Local Government Unit Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park Maternal Mortality Ratio National Mapping and Resources Information Authority National Academy of Science and Technology National Commission on Indigenous Peoples National Energy Administration National Grid Corporation of the Philippines Non-Government Organization National Integrated Protected Areas System North Negros Natural Park Negros Occidental Electric Cooperative, Inc. Negros Occidental Scholarship Program Negros Occidental Technology and Livelihood Development Center ii
HH HDI IBA IHWFR ILHZ IP LGU MGB MKNP MMR NAMRIA NAST NCIP NEA NGCP NGO NIPAS NNNP NOCECO NOSP NOTLDC
NPAAAD
Network of Protected Areas for Agricultural and Agro-industrial Development National Power Corporation National Statistical Coordination Board National Statistics Office National Water Resources Board Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration Protected Area Management Board Provincial Development Council Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council Provincial Development Investment Program Provincial Disaster Management Program Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan Provincial Environment Management Office Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Provincial/Local Planning and Expenditure Management Provincial Land Use Committee Provincial Nutrition Council Programs, Projects and Activities Provincial Planning and Development Office Provincial Physical Framework Plan Philippine Reefs and Rainforests Conservation Foundation, Inc. Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office Provincial Solid Waste Management Board Republic Act Regional Development Council Roxas Holdings Inc. Roll-on-Roll-off Regional Physical Framework Plan Regional Socio-Economic Trends Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones Safe and Closure Rehabilitation Plan Sagay Marine Reserve iii
NPC NSCB NSO NWRB PAGASA
PAMB PDC PDCC PDIP PDMP PDPFP PEMO PHIVOLCS PLPEM PLUC PNC PPAs PPDO PPFP PRRCFI PSWDO PSWMB RA RDC RHI RO-RO RPFP RSET SAFDZ SCRP SMR
SRA SRNH UNICEF VMC VRESCO
Sugar Regulatory Administration Strong Republic Nautical Highway United Nations Childrens Fund Victorias Milling Company Victorias Rural Electric Service Cooperative, Inc.
iv
Negros Occidental Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan, 2008 -2013 Chapter I : Introduction
CHAPTER I
Introduction
1. Historical Background Negros Island was originally called Buglas an old native word which is to mean cut off. It is believed that Negros was once part of a greater mass of land but was cut off either by what geologists call a continental drift or by the rising waters during the so-called glacial age. Among its earliest inhabitants were dark-skinned natives belonging to the Negrito ethnic group with their unique culture.
Spanish explorers Esteban Rodriguez de Figueroa and Juan de Aguirre discovered the island of Buglas in April 1565. The Spaniards called the land Negros after the black natives whom they saw when they first came to the island in April 1565. Two of the earliest native settlements were Binalbagan and Ilog that later became towns in 1573 and 1584, respectively. Other
settlements were Hinigaran, Bago, Marayo (now Pontevedra), Mamalan (now Himamaylan) and Candaguit (now a sitio in San Enrique). On September 6, 1571, Negros was divided into encomiendas or Spanish colonial settlements, laying the foundation for a feudal system.
After appointing encomienderos in the island, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi placed Negros under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Oton in Panay. In 1734, however, the island became a military district and Ilog was made its first capital. The seat of government was later transferred to Himamaylan and thereafter Bacolod became the capital in 1849. The latter half of the 19th century was a period of rapid economic expansion for Negros Occidental as evidenced by the growth of population resulting from the influx of immigrants coming from the neighboring provinces like Iloilo, Antique, Capiz and Cebu. The major boon to the province at this time was the widespread cultivation of sugarcane and the opening of ports to foreign commerce like those in Iloilo and Cebu. In 1856, Negros Occidental produced only 4,000 piculs of sugar. This increased to 100,000 piculs in 1864 and 2,000,000 piculs in 1893.
I-1
In 1890, the island was divided by the Spanish government into two provinces Negros Oriental in the east and Negros Occidental in the west. Negrense revolutionary leaders joined the Katipunan Movement and prominent Negrenses, Gen. Aniceto Lacson and Gen. Juan Araneta, led the Cantonal Government of the Republic of Negros which reunited the two provinces. Spanish rule in Negros came to an end on November 5, 1898.
Negros Occidental was split into two provinces after a plebiscite in Cadiz City on January 3, 1986 - Negros Occidental and Negros del Norte. The creation of the new province was, however, opposed by the Negros Anti-Partition Movement and the Supreme Court declared the creation unconstitutional on July 11, 1986. On August 18, 1986, Negros del Norte was formally returned to Negros Occidental, thus making the province whole again.
Negros Occidental is comprised of 12 component cities, 19 component municipalities and one highly urbanized City of Bacolod which is also the capital city. As of October 2007, the total population of Negros Occidental has reached 2,869,766 including Bacolod City (499,497).
I-2
2. Plan Objectives and Context 2.1. Objectives of the Negros Occidental Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) The Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan is an updated version of the Provincial Medium Term Development Plan and Provincial Physical Framework Plan that has been adopted as a planning document by the Provincial Development Council/Regional Development Council. The PDC, which is the policy recommending body of the province, is mandated to initiate the formulation or updating of its land use and development plans in consultation with the concerned sectors in its component local government units.
The PDPFP aims to provide a brief background on the province, its planning context and environment so as to provide analytical and comprehensive basis for identifying development programs based on its overall provincial vision.
In order to strengthen and enhance the development of the province, the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan is the primary technical guide to the development of the province. Its specific objectives are to:
a. Define the overall vision for the province. b. Provide analytical basis for understanding and identifying existing conditions and key development issues, problems, opportunities, goals, objectives and targets of the province. c. Transform the vision into implementable strategies towards the attainment of goals, objectives and targets. d. Identify the programs, projects and activities consistent with the proposed strategies, guided by the vision,
2.2. Context of the Plan The Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) serves as the link between national/regional and city and municipal plans.
I-3
Within this framework, policies enunciated at the top levels of government are effectively translated into a lower level provincial plan to be more responsive to local conditions. Conversely, policies at the city/municipality stratum are integrated into the provincial plan which serves as the vertical link between local development objectives and regional and national priorities. At the provincial level, the Programs, Projects and Activities (PPAs) derived from the PDPFP are the bases for a multi-year investment program, while the Annual Investment Program (AIP) is the basis for budgetary allocations for PPAs. A simple framework showing the linkages among the four processes is presented below.
PPAs Planning
Investment Programming Revenue Generation
PDIP/ AIP Project Evaluation and Development Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation
Locally funded projects Budgeting Expenditure Management
Fig. 1. PDPFP Framework
I-4
3. Coverage of the Plan 3.1. Historical Coverage The Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) is a six-year medium-term development plan of the province of Negros Occidental, guided by its long-term vision. It is formulated to coincide with two three-year terms of the present provincial leadership that can be aligned with a full term of the national leadership. Planning analyses, however, extend beyond the medium term to consider longer-term trends. These are significant and necessary inputs to the identification of Strategies, Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) for the six-year plan period.
3.2. Geographical Coverage The political boundaries of the province define the primary level of geographical analysis. Other provinces in Region VI (Western Visayas) as well as the region itself, and the country as a whole, are also included as benchmarks in some of the analyses.
The PDPFP basically embodies the respective Medium Term Development Plan and Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) of the component cities and municipalities of the province and as an indicative plan to guide the needed spatial arrangement of provincial land use physical development activities.
Cities and municipalities within the province serve as the major level of analytical disaggregation, although barangay-level data are recommended for selected population analysis. Groups or
clusters of municipalities as well as geographically delineated areas like the North Negros Natural Park, Mount Kanlaon Natural Park, Bago River Watershed among others, are also considered.
References to land and land use which include water and water use are likewise a part of the planning environment.
I-5
3.3. Sectoral Coverage The planning environment of the Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) includes all major sectors for and in the development of Negros Occidental. As much as possible, and in order to establish comparability and context, sectoral data should be consistent with regional/national and city/municipal data. In terms of the traditional sectors that typically serve as templates for public sector planning analysis and implementation, the core elements correspond as follows:
Core Element Population Population
Sector
Economic Activity
Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Trade, Industry, Services, Tourism
Physical Resources
Environment, Natural Resources, Transport Health, Education, Housing, Social Welfare, Public Works, Energy, Security, Other Services and Facilities (for community groups such as the elderly, children, indigenous people, etc.) Physical integration of all sectors
Income/Access to services
Land Use
I-6
4. Outline of the Plan The Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP) is organized as follows:
A. Introduction. This introduces the PDPFP, the general assumptions and principles underlying the plan and the rationale and objectives for updating the plan. It also describes how the various parts of the plan are organized. Introduction also provides a brief background on the province, the planning context and policy environment, and objectives and coverage of the plan.
B. Vision. The vision provides the long term view of the province that reflects local aspirations. It also serves as an inspirational guide for the rest of the PDPFP.
C. The Planning Environment. This describes and analyzes the physical, economic, and social environments of the province as inputs to the identification of strategies and
programs/projects/activities (PPAs).
Statistical tables, graphs, charts and maps are used to
describe the provinces planning environment.
D. Development Issues/Problems, Goals, Objectives and Targets. It shows the development issues, challenges, and opportunities facing and accompanying the task of accomplishing the identified development goals, objectives and targets.
E. Strategies, Programs, Projects, and Activities. For each identified development goal and objective, specific strategies and PPAs are derived and identified to address the development issues.
I-7
Negros Occidental Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan, 2008 -2013 Chapter II :Vision of Negros Occidental
CHAPTER II
Vision of Negros Occidental
An empowered and healthy Negrense in a globally-competitive, ecologically balanced and peaceful Negros Occidental serving as the organic food capital of Asia under a responsive and accountable governance.
Elements of the Vision The Development Vision of the Negros Occidental Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan provides the ultimate goal towards which the provinces development efforts shall be directed. It serves as a guide upon which specific development goals, objectives,
framework/strategies/policies, scenarios/targets, major programs and projects to be implemented shall be anchored.
Consistent with the development vision of the region, the Province of Negros Occidental aspires to uplift over the plan period 2008-2013 the socio-economic life of its citizenry who are the principal focus of development. The development in the province should provide opportunities equitably which can translate into increased income and improved living standards for the Negrenses.
People (Negrense) - An empowered Negrense means that the people of Negros Occidental will be able to develop their full potentials, achieve level of maturity and education to make responsible decisions, and to be able to get involved in activities that require unity and collective participation.
- A healthy Negrense is one who enjoys clean and green environment, where there are available healthy and organically grown foods, well maintained health institutions with quality
II - 8
comprehensive health and healthcare programs and an environment that promotes sports and recreation towards healthy minds and bodies.
Economy - A globally-competitive economy involves production of quality/world class products, services, facilities and infrastructure, including tourism destinations that are better than or at par with the global market. This also involves development of quality, top caliber skilled workers and professionals that will excel locally and internationally. Natural and Physical Environment - Ecological balance means that the provinces diverse ecosystems are sustainably protected, preserved and renewed. It also has environment-friendly and pollution-free local communities promoting sustainable development and sustainable agriculture.
Community - A peaceful province is one where there is law and order; that the people live in harmony; and that justice and social equity prevail. A business-friendly, investor-friendly, and tourist & visitor-friendly province.
Governance - A responsive and accountable governance refers to a government that is receptive and transparent, supportive and able to address the peoples socio -economic needs; a government that promotes gender equity by being sensitive to the special needs and concerns of women, children, the differently-abled, the elderly, and indigenous people in its development programs and projects; a government that is strong on social justice, focused on the welfare of the underprivileged and determined to provide the people with equitable access to needed resources. It is a government that lives the principle: a public office is a public trust.
Outward Looking - Organic Food Capital of Asia is the desired role of the province of Negros Occidental or the best contribution it can make to the development of the nation. It will devote 10 percent of its agricultural lands to organic production in partnership with the Oriental Negros province thus, sharing in the $20 billion world market for organic products.
II - 9
Mission of Negros Occidental We shall sustain our delivery of services to the fullest of our abilities, harnessing our potentials, and building more meaningful teamwork;
We will uphold and promote at all times the principles and policies of the Provincial Government; and
Cognizant of our avowed purposes, we commit ourselves to make Negros Occidental an organic food capital of Asia, a challenge to the adventurous, a haven for the travelers, and a real home for the Negrense.
II - 10
Negros Occidental Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan, 2008 -2013 Chapter III : The Planning Environment
CHAPTER III
The Planning Environment
1. Location, Land Area, and Political Subdivisions Negros Occidental is one of the six provinces that compose Western Visayas or Region VI. Located in the northwestern portion of Negros Island, it can be found near the central part of the Philippine Archipelago and lies between two large inter-island water bodies, the Sibuyan and the Visayan Seas. Geographic location of the region is defined at grid coordinates 121 0 5 W to 1230 2 30 E longitude and 9 25 S to 120 12 30 N latitude.
Negros Occidental is composed of 12 component cities, 19 municipalities, one highly urbanized capital city and 662 barangays. The province is divided into six congressional districts excluding Bacolod City which is considered a distinct congressional district.
Bacolod City, the provincial capital, lies in the northwestern part of the province. It is set in a sprawling 16,000-hectare coastal plain. The province has a total land area of 792,607 hectares or 7,926.07 km2. It is in the western side of Negros Island, the fourth largest island of the Philippines. The province is approximately 375 kilometers long from north to south, bounded by the Visayan Sea on the north, Panay Gulf on the west, Taon Strait and Negros Oriental province on the east and Sulu Sea on the south.
III - 11
III - 12
III - 13
Table 1. Land Area of Cities and Municipalities in Negros Occidental by District Province Municipality/City Negros Occidental Bacolod City TOTAL 1st District Escalante City Toboso Calatrava DSBenedicto San Carlos City TOTAL 2nd District Cadiz City Manapla Sagay City TOTAL 516.50 112.90 389.60 1,019.00 125.00 123.40 439.60 170.60 384.00 1,242.60 Land Area Population (sq. km.) 2007 7,926.10 156.10 2,370,269 499,497 2,869,766 4th District 92,035 Bago City 41,358 La Carlota City 78,452 Pontevedra, 22,979 Pulupandan 129,809 San Enrique 364,633 Valladolid TOTAL 5th District 150,750 Hinigaran 52,428 Binalbagan 140,511 Himamaylan City 343,689 La Castellana Moises Padilla Isabela TOTAL 3 District Murcia Talisay City Silay City E.B. Magalona Victorias City TOTAL 284.60 173.40 214.80 113.30 133.90 920.00
rd
Municipality/ City
Land Area (sq. km.)
Population 2007
402.10 137.30 112.50 23.00 21.00 48.00 743.90 160.80 185.40 384.20 216.50 143.70 177.40 1,268.00 726.40 519.90 432.70 424.10 281.70 191.70 2,576.50
159,933 63,584 46,768 27,072 22,987 34,895 355,239 80,528 64,747 102,014 70,838 39,239 58,819 416,185 166,970 93,569 67,211 53,894 53,460 21,748 456,852
6 District 71,289 Kabankalan City 96,444 Cauayan 120,365 Sipalay City 57,424 Hinobaan 88,149 Ilog 433,671 Candoni TOTAL
th
Source: NSO 2007 Census, RSET 2007
III - 14
2. Population and Settlements

2.1. Regional and National Context In 2007, the Philippine total population is 88,574,614 million, of which 6,843,643 or 7.73 percent is from Western Visayas. This makes the region the fourth biggest in terms of population size among 16 regions in the country.
Among the provinces of Region VI, the Negros Occidental and Iloilo provinces still have the largest shares of the regions population at 41.93 percent and 30.84 percent, respectively. With the presence of two highly urbanized cities of Bacolod and Iloilo in these two provinces, their primacy in terms of population has been maintained.
The province of Capiz accounts for 10.25 percent of the regional population followed by Antique and Aklan at 7.52 and 7.23 percent, respectively. The province of Guimaras tails behind at 2.21 percent due to its small land area although its proximity to the City of Iloilo can be a strategic location for absorption of the city populaces spill-over.
The density of the province of Negros Occidental in 2007 which is 362 is higher compared to that of the national density of 260 and the regional density which is 338. Comparing the 2007 population density for the two highly urbanized cities in the region namely the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo, Bacolods density of 3,199 is less than half of Iloilos density of 7,479. These account for the fact that Iloilo City is the seat of most regional government agencies.
Among provinces in Region VI, Negros Occidental shows an erratic growth rate with a remarkable decrease from 1.43 in 1990-1995 to 1.13 in 1995-2000. The decrease to 1.13 in 19952000 could be attributed to the deteriorating economic conditions in some areas, with the closure of Maricalum Mining Corporation in Sipalay and some sugar centrals, thus creating migration to other places to seek jobs and better economic opportunities.
Growth rate of Negros Occidental in 2007 which is 1.56 is higher than the regional growth rate of 1.35 but lesser than the nations growth rate of 2.04. Given the current growth rate of 1.56, it is estimated that population of Negros Occidental will double after 48 years or in 2055.
III - 15
Table 2. Region 6 Population, Annual Population Growth Rate, Density, Area by Province, Philippines, 1995, 2000, 2007 Population Province 1995 Philippines Region Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo Iloilo City Negros Occidental Bacolod City 68,614,162 5,776,938 410,539 431,713 624,469 126,470 1,415,022 334,539 2,031,841 402,345 2000 76,498,735 6,208,733 451,314 472,822 654,156 141,450 1,559,182 365,820 2,136,647 429,076 2007 88,574,614 6,843,643 495,122 515,265 701,664 151,238 1,691,878 418,710 2,370,269 499,497 1995 2.30 1.30 1.43 1.14 1.26 1.31 1.13 1.47 1.43 1.89 2000 2.36 1.56 2.05 1.97 1.00 2.43 2.07 1.93 1.13 1.39 2007 2.04 1.35 1.29 1.19 0.97 0.93 1.28 1.86 1.56 2.12 1995 202 286 226 171 237 209 371 5,976 307 2,578 2000 225 307 248 186 248 233 408 6,538 324 2,755 2007 260 338 272 204 266 250 447 7,480 362 3,200 (sq. km.) 340,574 20,223 1,818 2,522 2,633 605 4,719 56 7,926 156 % (Phil.) 100.00 6.74 0.61 0.84 0.88 0.20 1.57 0.02 2.64 0.05 Growth Rate Density Land Area
Source: NSCB, Regional Socio-Economic Trends
III - 16
2.2. Population Size, Density and Growth Rate
2.2.1. Size and distribution The largest city of the province is Bacolod City which has a population of 499,497, accounting for 17.41 percent of the total provincial population. Compared with Iloilo City, the administrative center of Region VI with a population of 418,710, Bacolod City is the largest city in the region based on population.
Aside from Bacolod City, there are seven cities with 100,000 and above population namely: Kabankalan, Bago, Cadiz, Sagay, San Carlos, Silay and Himamaylan accounting for 51.22 percent of the provincial population. The rest of the population is distributed among the 24 cities/municipalities of the province with Candoni having the smallest share at 21,748 or 0.70 percent of the provincial population.
Within the province, only 11 cities and municipalities registered an increase from their 2000 population, with the largest increase experienced by Bacolod City (net increase of 0.68 percent); Talisay City and Murcia which border Bacolod City had the next largest share increases at 0.28 percent and 0.17 percent, respectively.
These population growth trends suggest that Bacolod City remains the biggest driver of population growth in the province, as well as in the region. The population of the cities and municipalities located near Bacolod City: Bago City (159,933), Silay City (120,365), Talisay City (96,444) and Murcia (71,289), have substantially increased since 2000. Their proximity to the city of Bacolod makes these areas strategically located to absorb the spillover of the citys population.
III - 17
Table 3. Population size, annual population growth rate, land area, density, by municipalities/cities
Province Mun/City Negros Occidental Bacolod City Bago City Binalbagan Cadiz City Calatrava Candoni Cauayan D.S. Benedicto E.B. Magalona Escalante City Himamaylan City Hinigaran Hinobaan Ilog Isabela Kabankalan City La Carlota City La Castellana Manapla Moises Padilla Murcia Pontevedra Pulupandan Sagay City San Carlos City San Enrique Silay City Sipalay City Talisay City Toboso Valladolid Victorias City Population 2007 2,869,766 499,497 159,933 64,747 150,750 78,452 21,748 93,569 22,979 57,424 92,035 102,014 80,528 53,894 53,460 58,819 166,970 63,584 70,838 52,428 39,239 71,289 46,768 27,072 140,511 129,809 22,987 120,365 67,211 96,444 41,358 34,895 88,149 Growth Rate 2007 1.56 2.12 1.68 1.46 0.83 0.69 1.17 0.75 4.03 0.73 2.11 1.95 0.99 0.82 1.93 2.63 1.51 1.67 2.53 0.77 1.73 2.56 1.46 0.64 1.1 1.29 0.55 1.54 1.11 2.76 0.22 0.95 1.05 Estimated Population 2008 2,914,534 510,086 162,620 65,692 152,001 78,993 22,002 94,271 23,905 57,843 93,977 104,003 81,325 54,336 54,492 60,366 169,491 64,646 72,630 52,832 39,918 73,114 47,451 27,245 142,057 131,484 23,113 122,219 67,957 99,106 41,449 35,227 89,075 2010 3,006,177 531,943 168,130 67,625 154,535 80,087 22,520 95,690 25,871 58,691 97,985 108,099 82,943 55,231 56,615 63,583 174,649 66,823 76,352 53,648 41,311 76,905 48,846 27,595 145,199 134,898 23,368 126,012 69,474 104,652 41,632 35,899 90,955 2013 3,149,072 566,497 176,747 70,630 158,415 81,756 23,320 97,859 29,126 59,986 104,319 114,547 85,431 56,601 59,957 68,733 182,680 70,227 82,295 54,897 43,492 82,964 51,017 28,128 150,044 140,186 23,756 131,924 71,813 113,559 41,907 36,932 93,850 Estimated Density 2008 368 3268 404 354 294 180 115 181 140 511 752 271 506 128 193 340 233 471 335 468 278 257 422 1185 365 342 1101 569 157 572 336 734 665 2010 379 3408 418 365 299 182 117 184 152 518 784 281 516 130 201 358 240 487 353 475 287 270 434 1200 373 351 1113 587 161 604 337 748 679 2013 397 3629 440 381 307 186 122 188 171 529 835 298 531 133 213 387 251 511 380 486 303 292 453 1223 385 365 1131 614 166 655 340 769 701 Additional Population 2007-2013 279,306 67,000 16,814 5,883 7,665 3,304 1,572 4,290 6,147 2,562 12,284 12,533 4,903 2,707 6,497 9,914 15,710 6,643 11,457 2,469 4,253 11,675 4,249 1,056 9,533 10,377 769 11,559 4,602 17,115 549 2,037 5,701
Note: *Population including Bacolod City. Source: RSET, NSCB
III - 18
Table 4. Population shares, cumulative population shares, additional population by municipality/city Pop Pop Pop 19951995 2000 2007 Province 1995 2000 2007 2000 Cum. Cum. Cum. Mun/City (% (% (% % Popn. Popn. Popn. share) share) share) change Negros Occidental Bacolod City 16.53 16.72 17.41 16.53 16.72 17.41 0.19 Kabankalan City 5.72 5.84 5.82 22.25 22.56 23.23 0.12 Bago City 5.44 5.52 5.57 27.69 28.08 28.80 0.09 Cadiz City 5.17 5.53 5.25 32.86 33.61 34.05 0.36 Sagay City 5.27 5.06 4.90 38.14 38.67 38.95 -0.22 San Carlos City 4.17 4.61 4.52 42.30 43.28 43.47 0.44 Silay City 5.04 4.20 4.19 47.34 47.48 47.67 -0.84 Himamaylan City 3.42 3.46 3.55 50.77 50.94 51.22 0.04 Talisay City 2.81 3.08 3.36 53.58 54.02 54.58 0.27 Cauayan 3.46 3.45 3.26 57.03 57.47 57.84 0.00 Escalante City 3.28 3.08 3.21 60.32 60.56 61.05 -0.20 Victorias City 3.22 3.19 3.07 63.53 63.74 64.12 -0.03 Hinigaran 2.94 2.92 2.81 66.47 66.67 66.93 -0.02 Calatrava 2.87 2.91 2.73 69.34 69.57 69.66 0.04 Murcia 2.26 2.31 2.48 71.61 71.89 72.15 0.05 La Castellana 2.45 2.30 2.47 74.06 74.19 74.62 -0.15 Sipalay City 2.63 2.42 2.34 76.68 76.61 76.96 -0.21 Binalbagan 2.25 2.27 2.26 78.93 78.88 79.21 0.03 La Carlota City 2.32 2.20 2.22 81.25 81.08 81.43 -0.12 Isabela 2.01 1.90 2.05 83.26 82.98 83.48 -0.11 EB Magalona 2.24 2.12 2.00 85.50 85.10 85.48 -0.11 Hinobaan 1.68 1.98 1.88 87.17 87.08 87.36 0.30 Ilog 1.80 1.81 1.86 88.98 88.90 89.22 0.01 Manapla 1.82 1.93 1.83 90.80 90.83 91.05 0.11 Pontevedra 1.74 1.64 1.63 92.54 92.47 92.68 -0.10 Toboso 1.59 1.59 1.44 94.13 94.06 94.12 0.00 Moises Padilla 1.29 1.35 1.37 95.42 95.41 95.49 0.06 Valladolid 1.29 1.27 1.22 96.70 96.68 96.70 -0.02 Pulupandan 1.02 1.01 0.94 97.73 97.68 97.64 -0.02 San Enrique 0.85 0.86 0.80 98.58 98.54 98.45 0.01 D.S. Benedicto 0.72 0.67 0.80 99.30 99.22 99.25 -0.05 Candoni 0.70 0.78 0.76 100.00 100.00 100.00 0.08 Source: RSET, NSCB
20002007 % change 0.6821 -0.0191 0.0494 -0.2797 -0.1614 -0.0859 -0.0043 0.0983 0.2759 -0.1931 0.1242 -0.1143 -0.1170 -0.1747 0.1706 0.1649 -0.0769 -0.0153 0.0171 0.1508 -0.1228 -0.1023 0.0495 -0.1055 -0.0108 -0.1456 0.0165 -0.0537 -0.0641 -0.0600 0.1281 -0.0212
III - 19
2.1.1.
Population Density and Urbanization
The region has an average density of 338.4 persons per sq. km. in 2007. The provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental, the two largest provinces in the region, also have the highest densities. The province of Iloilo has the highest density at 447.2 persons per sq. km., followed by Negros Occidental with 362.1 persons per sq. km. The high population densities in these two provinces can be attributed to the presence of two highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod which account for densities of 7,479.6 and 3,199.9 persons per sq. km., respectively. A comparison of Negros Occidentals population densities in 1995, 2000, and 2007 as reflected in the population density maps reveals that much of the population are in areas near the highly urbanized city of Bacolod. This trend is quite noticeable in the cities and municipalities of Talisay, Murcia, Silay, Pulupandan and Bago. Their proximity to the city of Bacolod makes these areas strategically located to absorb the spillover of the citys population. As a whole, density maps confirmed the perception that the most significant growth in the province of Negros Occidental is fueled by Bacolod City and other small cities.
The municipalities with the highest population density are Pulupandan and San Enrique with 1,177 persons per sq. km. and 1,094 persons per sq.km., respectively, aside from Bacolod City which is 3,199.9 persons per sq.km. Candoni has the lowest at 113 persons per sq.km., followed by Hinobaan at 127 persons per sq.km. The provincial and national averages are 362.1 persons per sq.km. and 260.1persons per sq.km., respectively.
Other cities/municipalities with population densities substantially higher than the provincial average are: Bago City (397), Silay City (312.9), Talisay City (556), Escalante City (736), Victorias City (658), EB Magalona (506), and Valladolid (726). Outside the province, Bacolods density is comparable to the largest urban centers of the country, such as the Cities of Davao, Cebu, Mandaue, Lapulapu and Cagayan de Oro.
Based on the density maps, the highest density settlements are along the coastal areas of the province. This may be attributed to the presence of most sugar mills, alcohol processing plants and other industrial complex in coastal municipalities and cities. Other attributes may include the provinces major roads which are built along the coast line and majority of the Local Government Units (78 percent) are coastal LGUs, thus accessibility and center of trade and commerce happens
III - 20
in these localities. Historically, most original settlers of the province settled along the coast line as most of the areas in Negros are still forest areas. Urban centers started along the coast. Thus the presence of old churches (which serve also as look-out and protective structure in case of attacks during the Spanish era) are found along nearby coastal area implying a large number of parishioners worshipping in these churches.
A comparison of the municipalities/cities population densities in 1995, 2000 and 2007 reveals that much of the population are in areas near the highly urbanized city of Bacolod as well as in the other cities of northern Negros such as Escalante and San Carlos Cities. Obviously, since
Bacolod is the center of trade and commerce, business and employment is quite high in the capital city. The provincial capitol is also located in Bacolod City together with most national agencies with provincial offices. These factors influence LGUs surrounding Bacolod City to take in new settlements due to business, employment, trade and marketing. Given that Escalante and San Carlos Cites are emerging growth centers in the province with the presence of seaports in both LGUs, influx of businesses and shipping activities would cause population to settle in these LGUs or its nearby localities. Again, trade and commerce are high in these areas due to their close proximity and relatively cheap transport to Cebu province.
Increases in population density in 2007 are also noticeable particularly in the interior towns of La Castellana, Isabela and Binalbagan in central Negros, and Manapla in northern Negros. This is brought about by the strong growth of agriculture in these interior towns. The improvement of farm to market roads that made products from the uplands becoming easily transported to the urban areas in the lowlands is also a plus factor in the population growth of these areas as a result of economic development.
III - 21
Fig. 2. 2007 Population of Negros Occidental by municipality/city.
Fig. 3. 2007 Population Density of Negros Occidental by municipality/city
Fig. 4. 2007 Population Growth Rate of Negros Occidental by municipality/city
III - 22
III - 23
2.2.3.
Growth Rate
Among the two highly urbanized cities in the region, the City of Iloilo has an increasing population growth rate from 1995 to 2000 but growth rate slightly dipped in 2007 while Bacolod City showed a decreasing trend from 1995 to 2000, it had a marked increased by 0.43 percent in 2007. The location regional agencies, big malls and business centers in Iloilo City has boosted its economic growth and correspondingly, opened employment opportunities that attracted migration from other provinces. In 2007, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City increased their population growth rate to 1.56 and 2.12 respectively.
Aside from Bacolod City, which has a bigger & increasing density and growth rate due to its being a highly urbanized center, there are some municipalities and cities that have high density but decreasing growth rate or vice versa.
High Densities and Fast-Growing: Bacolod City, Victorias City, Talisay City, Escalante City, Hinigaran Bacolod City being the capital city and the center for trade, banking, and commerce including where most government agencies are located becomes the largest urban center with the highest density (3,199.9 persons per km2) and the highest population of all LGUs in the province. The other three component cities namely Victorias City, Talisay City, Escalante City continue to have a growing settlements. Victorias City is the home of the famous Victorias Milling Corporation (VMC), the first sugar refinery in the province with diversification into canning and construction. Despite the significant decline in the operations of VMC, the city government was able to mitigate its ill-effect by building infrastructures that would spur back the economy of the city. Talisay City is a recipient of the spill-over of Bacolod City. Also the presence of First Farmers Sugar Mill, an alcohol processing plant and rapid land development for subdivisions both socialized and high-end residences accounts for the growing settlement and increase economic activities in the LGU. Escalante City in the northern end of the province have benefitted from its conversion to cityhood having installed infrastructures in support to economic development in the area. Having a seaport connecting Negros and Cebu with the nautical highway program of the national government and its agriculture and fisheries which is fully supported by the city government caused the increasing settlement in the city. Hinigaran, the one municipality that have densities 500 and higher is one of the more economically progressive municipalities in the
III - 24
province. It has a strong fisheries and agriculture economy. It also has a relatively significant population who are employed in international ocean vessels and Overseas Filipino Workers. Low Densities and Fast-Growing: Kabankalan City, Sagay City, San Carlos City, Sipalay City, Silay City, Murcia, Binalbagan
The cities of Kabankalan, Sagay and Sipalay are former municipalities that were recently converted to cities after the passage of the new Local Government Code. With the increase in the IRA and other revenues of these cities, they invested it in infrastructures and increase support to economic and social development of their LGUs. Kabankalan City has developed its role as the gate-way to Dumaguete City and Cebu in the southern Negros. Sagay City capitalized on its vast marine and agricultural resources to attract investors and is developing its Export Processing Zone. Sipalay City dreams of becoming the next Boracay or even better with the lessons learned by Boracay. It has also built-in measures to ensure a safe and lush environment even with the presence of mining firms in the area. Silay City, with its laid-back, relax and casual atmosphere, it is home of the New Bacolod-Silay Airport of international standard. It has
benefitted from its tourism and retirement villages. Two sugar mills are located in Silay City. Murcia, aside from the spill-over of Bacolod City, has become the weekend spa of Bacoleos and tourists because of the world famous Mambukal Resort. The presence of BISCOM sugar mill and refinery and Binalbagan Catholic College made Binalbagan sustain its economic activities despite several slumped in the sugar industry for the past years. Its fishery and agriculture has given a boost to its economy.
High Densities and Slow-Growing: EBMagalona, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Valladolid These LGUs have densities 500 or higher (persons per km2) but economic activities are a little slow. These LGUs are relatively small in terms of land area and are mostly relying on agriculture (rice and sugarcane) and fisheries. The high population density may be attributed to its being coastal LGUs and generally along the main highway where settlements are usually high. Also most of the agricultural lands in these LGUs are privately owned by just a few landed Negrenses especially those that are planted to sugarcane.
III - 25
Low Densities and Slow Growing: Bago City, Cadiz City, Himamaylan City, La Carlota City, Calatrava, Candoni, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Isabela, Manapla, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, Don Salvador Benedicto, Toboso There are four component cities and eleven component municipalities in Negros Occidental that have densities lower than 500 persons per km2. These LGUs except for Bago City are located farther from Bacolod City. The landed and feudal culture of Bago City maybe the strong factors in its conservative growth and development. These values tend to be difficult for them to invest in other industries or for investors to come to Bago City. The closure of Ma-ao Sugar Mill has contributed to its slow growth. Cadiz City and La Carlota Cities are existing cities before the devolution but have never taken off in terms of economic development as they rely too heavily on agriculture and fisheries. Himamaylan City is just a newly converted city and for a decade now, there was no major development in the locality. In fact, the transfer of their market site to a new location has caused a slumped in their economy since their residents would rather buy from the nearby municipalities than go to their new market.
Candoni, Isabela, Moises Padilla, and Don Salvador Benedicto are all landlocked municipalities whose main economic activities are agriculture and forestry. There are even no banks in these areas. Calatrava, Cauayan, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Manapla, Pontevedra, and Toboso are small coastal towns are quite far from economic centers such as Bacolod City and are highly dependent on farming (sugarcane, rice, corn) and municipal fishing. seaward farther from the main highway. Manapla and Ilog are even located
Within the province, the population growth rate of the cities/municipalities near the highly urbanized city of Bacolod show a remarkable increase from 2000 to 2007. These are Silay City (-2.76 to 1.55 percent), E.B. Magalona (0.03 to 0.73 percent), Murcia (1.60 to 2.56 percent), Bago City (1.48 to 1.68 percent), Pontevedra (-0.18 to 1.46 percent) and La Carlota City (nil to 1.67 percent). There is also a remarkable increase in growth rate in the northern city of Escalante (0.22 to 2.11 percent) and LGUs in the south such as Himamaylan City, (1.36 to 1.95 percent) and Ilog (1.25 to 1.93 percent). This could be attributed to their economic growth that correspondingly opened employment opportunities and attracted migration from other towns/cities and other provinces.
III - 26
The decline in population growth of various towns/cities from 2000 to 2007 such as Candoni (3.52 to 1.17 percent), Hinobaan (4.80 to 0.82 percent), Cadiz City (2.60 to 0.83 percent), Calatrava (1.41 to 0.69 percent), Cauayan (1.11 to 0.75 percent), Manapla (2.44 to 0.77 percent), Moises Padilla (2.17 to 1.73 percent), San Enrique (1.46 to 0.55 percent), Talisay (3.17 to 2.76 percent), Toboso (1.13 to 0.22 percent) and San Carlos City (3.34 to 1.29 percent) could be attributed to the deteriorating economic conditions in these areas. Population settlement in
Talisay City must have shifted to Silay City due to the operationalization of the new airport in Silay City thus the decline in the growth rate of Talisay City and the subsequent increase in Silay City. Nevertheless, despite the closure of San Carlos Milling Corporation, growth rate in San Carlos City is expected to rise in the future with the establishment and construction of a Bioethanol Plant in the area.
The movement of migrant sugarcane workers could also be considered as one of the factors in the decline or growth of population in some areas. Decline in population is expected when the population census falls within July or August which is considered as off-season or tiempo muerto in the sugar industry, when the migrant workers return to their respective provinces.
The fast-growing settlements in the province (from 2000 to 2007) are Silay City (from -2.76 percent to 1.54 percent), Escalante City (from -0.22 percent to 2.11 percent), La Castellana (from -0.19 percent to 2.53 percent), Don Salvador Benedicto (from -0.46 percent to 4.03 percent) and Pontevedra (from -0.18 to 1.46 percent).
Map 4 shows a slow-down in population growth from 1990 to 2000 in the central LGUs of the province particularly Isabela, La Castellana, Pontevedra, La Carlota City San Enrique, Valladolid, Pulupandan and even Bago City but made a sudden surge in 2007. This may be explained by the long drought (El Nio) in the latter part of 1998 until mid 1999 whose effect was felt until 2000. Central Negros Occidental is the rice granary of the province thus population might have shifted to non-crop areas such as the coastal cities of Talisay, Cadiz and San Carlos and to some extent the coastal municipalities of Calatrava, Toboso and Manapla where fishing became their alternative livelihood. However, by 2007, population seem to have gone back to their respective localities since economy has started picking up and agriculture has been sustained due to the thrust of the provincial and municipal/city governments to fully support food sufficiency and agricultural productivity in the province.
III - 27
Given the current growth rate, the estimated total population and overall density at the end of the plan period (2013) of the province are 3,149,072 and 397 persons per square kilometer, respectively. This translates into an additional population of 279,306.
Negros Occidental has a consistently increasing growth rate from 1.13 percent in 2000 to 1.56 percent in 2007. This may be due to increase in economic activities and opportunities that encourage migration to the province.
III - 28
III - 29
Table 5. Estimated Population & Density, Negros Occidental, by City Municipality, 2008, 2010, 2013
Province Mun/City Negros Occidental Bacolod City Bago City Binalbagan Cadiz City Calatrava Candoni Cauayan D.S. Benedicto E.B. Magalona Escalante City Himamaylan City Hinigaran Hinobaan Ilog Isabela Kabankalan City La Carlota City La Castellana Manapla Moises Padilla Murcia Pontevedra Pulupandan Sagay City San Carlos City San Enrique Silay City Sipalay City Talisay City Toboso Valladolid Victorias City Population 2007 2,869,766 499,497 159,933 64,747 150,750 78,452 21,748 93,569 22,979 57,424 92,035 102,014 80,528 53,894 53,460 58,819 166,970 63,584 70,838 52,428 39,239 71,289 46,768 27,072 140,511 129,809 22,987 120,365 67,211 96,444 41,358 34,895 88,149 Growth Rate 2007 1.56 2.12 1.68 1.46 0.83 0.69 1.17 0.75 4.03 0.73 2.11 1.95 0.99 0.82 1.93 2.63 1.51 1.67 2.53 0.77 1.73 2.56 1.46 0.64 1.10 1.29 0.55 1.54 1.11 2.76 0.22 0.95 1.05 Estimated Population 2008 2,914,534 510,086 162,619 65,692 152,001 78,993 22,002 94,270 23,905 57,825 93,976 104,003 81,325 54,335 54,491 60,365 169,508 64,645 72,630 52,831 39,917 73,113 47,450 27,245 142,056 131,483 23,113 122,230 67,957 99,105 41,448 35,226 89,074 2010 3,006,177 531,943 168,129 67,624 154,534 80,087 22,520 95,690 25,870 58,638 97,984 108,098 82,943 55,230 56,615 63,582 174,700 66,823 76,351 53,648 41,311 76,905 48,846 27,595 145,199 134,897 23,368 126,049 69,474 104,651 41,631 35,898 90,954 2013 3,149,072 566,497 176,746 70,629 158,414 81,756 23,320 97,859 29,126 59,879 104,318 114,546 85,431 56,600 59,957 68,732 182,788 70,227 82,294 54,897 43,492 82,964 51,017 28,128 150,043 140,185 23,756 132,001 71,813 113,558 41,906 36,931 93,850 Estimated Density 2008 303 3,268 404 354 294 180 115 181 140 510 752 271 506 128 193 340 233 471 335 468 278 257 422 1,185 365 342 1,101 569 157 572 336 734 665 2010 312 3,408 418 365 299 182 117 184 152 518 784 281 516 130 201 358 241 487 353 475 287 270 434 1,200 373 351 1,113 587 161 604 337 748 679 2013 326 3,629 440 381 307 186 122 188 171 528 835 298 531 133 213 387 252 511 380 486 303 292 453 1,223 385 365 1,131 615 166 655 340 769 701 Additional Population 2007-2013 212,306 67,000 16,813 5,882 7,664 3,304 1,572 4,290 6,147 2,455 12,283 12,532 4,903 2,706 6,497 9,913 15,818 6,643 11,456 2,469 4,253 11,675 4,249 1,056 9,532 10,376 769 11,636 4,602 17,114 548 2,036 5,701
Note: *Population including Bacolod City Source: RSET, NSCB
III - 30
2.3. Existing Settlement Patterns
2.3.1. Built-up Areas Of the total land area of 792,607 hectares for Negros Occidental, the Alienable and Disposable (A&D) areas cover 540,385.62 or almost 68 percent (LEP-FMS, DENR 6). Based on the current PPFP of the province, Agricultural Land constitutes 531,016.99 hectares, which includes built-up areas consisting of residential, commercial and institutional areas covering an area of 53,565.5758 hectares.
2.3.2. Built-up Areas due to Development Trends and Directions Sagay City The newly updated CLUP of Sagay City includes the proposed Negros Agro-Industrial Center situated in Brgy. Paraiso which is 3.5 kilometers from the City Hall along the national highway. The site used to be an agricultural area converted into an agro-industrial zone.
The conceptual master plan estimates the preliminary land use distribution to the Agro-industrial Zone to be 182.3 hectares which includes residential/commercial, road network and other areas.
Kabankalan City The city is proposing to construct a domestic airport as part of their Transport Infrastructure Development Program. The proposed Kabankalan Domestic Airport is located at So.
Cabangahan, Brgy. Hilamonan, Kabankalan City. Total project cost is estimated to range from P150M to P200M.
At present, the city is processing the requirements for the revision or updating of their CLUP to include the conversion of the proposed airport site from agricultural to
industrial/commercial/residential use. Silay City Proposed New Town Center Their newly-updated Comprehensive Land Use Plan shows the newly-converted agricultural land to residential, commercial and industrial areas in the vicinity of the New Bacolod Airport in Silay
III - 31
City. The proposed New Town Center, estimated to be 1,500 hectares in area is also located in the vicinity of the airport at Brgy. Bagtic. Sipalay City Transfer of Government Center In their revised Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the city is converting an agricultural land in Brgy. Gil Montilla into residential/commercial usage. The city is developing the barangay into New Urban Core as Government and Civic Center. The site earmarked for this center is a 177-hectare contiguous area. The new urban core will cater to multiple zones as government and civic center and institutional areas where the City Hall, Hall of Justice, as well as the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall and office shall be located. All other government offices shall also be located in the area. A centralized transport terminal for out-of-town vehicles, among other facilities, are
likewise to be located in this zone.
Calatrava In their latest revision of their Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the municipality is converting agricultural land to residential/commercial along the national highway until the boundary of Calatrava and San Carlos City approaching the new Bio-ethanol Plant. These include the national highway part of Brgys. Refugio, San Isidro, Patun-an, Bantayanon and Buenavista. These will accommodate future residential and commercial expansion in the area.
Please refer to Map 5a Existing Settlement Areas which shows the built-up areas occupied by provincial settlements. It includes urban areas (including poblaciones or rural settlements) and industrial complexes. The primary source of data about the amount and/delineation of built-up areas are in city/municipal existing land use plans.
III - 32
III - 33
The existing built-up areas on settlements are identified in the respective Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) of each municipalities and cities. Generally, settlements are located in A and D lands. However, there are also settlements within the protected areas and hazardous areas as identified in the hazard map of the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau of DENR.
2.3.3. Built-up Areas Within Protected Areas Development aggression refers to the kind of development which spawns adverse impact on communities and habitats, threatens the biodiversity and sustainability of ecosystems especially the protected areas of the province.
In Negros Occidental, the following areas are declared Protected Areas by the DENR: Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, North Negros Natural Park, Sagay Marine Reserve, Bago River Watershed Forest Reserve and Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed Forest Reserve.
A. Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park The Built-up Areas Map of the Province shows that settlement in the protected areas are very minimal especially in the town of Murcia, D.S. Benedicto, San Carlos City, La Castellana, La Carlota City and Bago City. These are the cities and municipalities located in the vicinity of the protected areas of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park. Each municipality and city identified built-up areas or settlements such as barangays and sitios inside the identified area of protection including the initiatives, programs/projects in order to protect against inappropriate forest exploitation and disrupted land use which are defined in their Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUP).
B. North Negros Natural Park The North Negros Natural Park (NNNP) having an aggregate area of 80,454.50 hectares is considered to be the largest watershed of the Province being the main source of water for seventeen (17) municipalities and cities. It is also a wildlife sanctuary where rare and endangered species of flora and fauna exist, such as the Hornbill (Tarictic and Kalaw), Bleeding Heart Pigeon, Visayan Warty Pig and the Philippine Spotted Deer and home to some species of plants and animals not found elsewhere in the world. Birdlife International has identified NNNP as an International Bird Area (IBA).
III - 34
There are numerous threats to the ecological integrity and biodiversity of NNNP. The presence of large settlements inside the Park composed of 8,814 households within the 42 barangays exert pressure on the resources of NNNP.
III - 35
Figure 5. Protected Areas and Watershed in Negros Occidental
III - 36
2.3.4. Hierarchy of Settlements The role and functions and size of each hierarchy level are identified in order to provide direction for interaction and sharing of services/facilities among cities and municipalities. The hierarchy of centers also enhances the optimization of limited land resources through the identification of urban growth centers and priority areas for development.
As an additional guide using the scalogram, there are some settlements that perform central place functions but are not identified as urban centers. These towns perform marketing and/or servicing roles in their influence areas.
The results showed that the provincial capital, small cities and large towns have the most functionally complex hierarchy of settlements. The scalogram shows a pronounced hierarchy of settlements led by Bacolod City, with a centrality index of 358.66; closely followed by Silay City with 265.72 centrality index. Sagay City ranks third with a centrality index of 132.40.
The existing settlement patterns may be described as a four-level hierarchy.
Regional (Metropolitan) Centers: Population of 400,000-1M - Bacolod City In the Philippines, there is no official definition of a metropolitan area. However, the term has been used for a number of years, such as Metro Manila or Metro Cebu. The closest concept to a metropolis in the Philippines is that of a highly urbanized city which, in reference to the Local Government Code, is a city having a population of 200,000 or more.
In Region VI, only Iloilo and Bacolod Cities are classified as highly urbanized cities. Metropolitan Iloilo, composed of the municipalities of Leganes, Oton, Pavia, San Miguel and Iloilo City, is facing rapid growth in the recent years.
Unlike Metropolitan Iloilo where efforts have been exerted to institutionalize the inter-local cooperation among the Metro Iloilo localities, Metro Bacolod at present remains just a term used to group LGUs which has a semblance of inter-local cooperation which includes the cities of Bacolod, Silay, and Talisay. On the other hand, the emerging Metro Third covers the cities of Bacolod, Talisay, Silay, Victorias, and the municipalities of E.B. Magalona and Murcia.
III - 37
Home to almost half a million Negrenses, Bacolod City, a highly urbanized city, performs the multiple roles of commercial, residential and institutionalized functions in the province of Negros Occidental. Hence, it is the center of commerce & trade, entertainment, culture, education and seat of government offices, services and facilities in the province.
Large Towns/Cities: Population of 100,000 - 400,000 (Kabankalan City, Bago City, Cadiz City, Sagay City, San Carlos City, Silay City and Himamaylan City)
With a population of over 150,000, Kabankalan City is the second largest city of Negros Occidental and considered as the most progressive and fast developing city in the southern part of the province. Cadiz City is also an emerging city in the northern part of Negros Occidental. Bago City is strategically located to absorb the spillover of Bacolod Citys population. San Carlos City is also considered as the commercial and industrial center in the northern tip of Negros Occidental. A Bio-ethanol Plant is already operating in San Carlos City, considered also as the gateway to Cebu province.
The presence of sugar mills in Sagay City, Silay City and Kabankalan City, distillery plant in Bago City and bio-ethanol plant in San Carlos City, in terms of settlement, indicates some level of family income, attracts business, commerce, trading and industry-related activities in the areas.
Medium Towns/Cities: Population of 50,000 - 100,000 (Talisay City, Escalante City, Victorias City, Sipalay City, La Carlota City, Towns of Hinigaran, Calatrava, Murcia, La Castellana, Binalbagan, Isabela, E. B. Magalona, Hinobaan, Ilog and Manapla)
Escalante City, Victorias City and Talisay City are also considered as emerging cities in northern Negros Occidental. Recently, more businesses and modern commercial centers are investing in these areas especially Talisay City and Murcia that absorb spillover investments from Bacolod City such as subdivisions. Victorias City and Talisay City are also the sites of leading sugar mills in the province.
III - 38
As for the rest of the medium towns, these towns also provide for convergence of trading activities for some small towns.
Small Towns: Population - < 50,000 (Pontevedra, Toboso, Moises Padilla, Valladolid, Pulupandan, San Enrique, S. Benedicto and Candoni)
These are the small towns with mostly agriculture-based economy. Some of these towns are poised to become bigger towns such as D.S. Benedicto with negative growth rate to 4.03 percent and Pontevedra from negative growth rate to 1.46 percent. Valladolid, San Enrique and Pulupandan are rice producing towns of Negros Occidental with Pulupandan having a national port.
Pulupandan (1,177), San Enrique (1,094) and Valladolid (727) have the highest densities of the province excluding Bacolod (3,200) and Escalante (736) Cities.
III - 39
III - 40
Summary and Overall Trends Among the provinces of Region VI, Negros Occidental and Iloilo still have the largest share of the regions population at 41.90 percent and 30.84 percent, respectively. With the presence of two highly urbanized cities of Bacolod and Iloilo in these two provinces, their primacy in terms of population had been maintained.
Negros Occidental (2,370,269) ranks as the fifth largest province in the Philippines excluding the highly urbanized city of Bacolod (499,497); but if it includes Bacolod City then Negros Occidental with a population of 2,869,766 is the second biggest province in the Philippines next to Cebu (2,439,005) plus the population of Cebu City, Mandaue City & Lapulapu City; and bigger than Cavite (2,856,765); Bulacan (2,826,926); Pangasinan (2,645,395); Laguna (2,473,530) which ranks first, second, third, and fourth, respectively.
Region 6 has an average density of 338.4 persons per square kilometer in 2007. The provinces of Iloilo and Negros Occidental, the two most populated provinces in the region, also have the highest densities with 447.2 persons per square kilometer and 362.1 persons per square kilometer, respectively. Negros Occidentals growth rate (1.56) is the biggest in the region but lower than the Philippines growth rate of 2.04.
Given the current growth rate, the estimated total population and overall density at the end of the plan period (2013) of the province are 3,149,072 and 326 persons per square kilometer. This translates into an additional population of 212,306. This figure excludes the estimated population of Bacolod City of 566,497 by 2013.
Existing settlement areas and built-up areas are presented in Map 5a and Map 5b. Built-up areas in protected areas (Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park and North Negros Natural Park) are also noted and identified. Initiatives and programs for the protection and maintenance of the said parks are also presented by DENR-MKNP for the Mt. Kanlaon National Park and PEMO, Negros Occidental for the North Negros Natural Park, with the coordination of PAMB.
III - 41
3. PHYSICAL RESOURCES
3.1. General Land and Water Characteristics and Resources. 3.1.1. Topography and Slope
The northern and western parts of Negros Occidental are largely level plains and gently rolling slopes separated from the eastern seacoast and its neighboring province by mountain ranges of varying elevations including a series of volcanic peaks. Mt. Kanla-on, an active volcano, rising at an elevation of 2,435 meters above sea level, is the highest in the province and is also considered to be the highest in Central Philippines. Mt. Kanla-on has been classified as a large stratovolcano type which is part of a chain of volcanic mountains along the central spine of the island of Negros and along the Negros Trench that includes Mt. Silay (1,533.67m) and Mt. Mandalagan (1,879.30m). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
(PHIVOLCS) classified these two mountain ranges as potentially active volcanoes with no historical records of eruption but morphologically young-looking. Two other inactive volcanoes of lesser elevations are Mt. Solitario (locally called Mt. Lunay - 307.9m) in the north and Mt. Malapantao (618.9m) in the southern end. These mountains are not found in the present
classification of volcanoes of the PHIVOLCS but local people have confirmed the existence of these volcanoes. Also, no record of eruptions was found for both mountains and their long period of inactivity is evident from too much weathering and erosion of deep and long gullies (valleys).
The coastline of Negros Occidental is more irregular compared to that of its adjacent province, Oriental Negros which forms the other half of Negros Island.
Negros Occidental consists mainly of moderately sloping to rolling terrain fit for agricultural production. A large portion or about 46 percent of the land area of the province is categorized as within the slope of 0-8 percent and about 25 percent within the 8-18 percent slope. These are found in the northern and western parts of the province which are generally considered to be largely level plains. Only 13 percent are within the 18-30 percent slope and the rest or 16 percent is above 50 percent slope. Thus, about 71 percent of the provinces land resources is within the relatively level or flat range (0-18% slope) and only 29 percent in the protection-oriented slope range or the land of sierras of varying elevations (18% and above).
III - 42
Table 6. Area and Percentage Distribution by Slope Category Slope Category (%) 0-3 3-8 8-18 18-30 30 over Source: DA-BSWM Area (000 ha.) 191.10 171.60 200.40 102.10 127.41 % Share 24.00 21.60 25.30 13.00 16.10
3.1.2.
Land and Water Resources
Negros Occidental is a longish stretch of land which is approximately 374 kilometers from its northern tip, San Carlos City to Hinoba-an at the southern end. Negros Island is shaped like a mans boot when viewed on the map. It has a total area of 7,926.0 7 square kilometers or 792,607 hectares.
The province has several islands that have significant socio-economic importance beside its ecological significance in the islands biodiversity. Among others, the following islands are considered to have aesthetic values and are potential tourism destinations in the province.
Sipaway Island Sipaway Island in San Carlos City is essentially a white-sand beach coral island situated some 3.5 kilometers off the eastern coast of the city. Sipaway is about seven (7) kilometers in length and one-and-a-half (1.5) kilometers at the widest. Sipaway Islands white sand beaches are comparable to that of Guimaras Island. Although its not as powdery white as Boracay sand, its still beautiful and unspoiled. And there are areas where people can picnic for free.
Geographically known as Refugio Island, Sipaway Island is a favorite destination both of local and foreign tourists. It is just 10 to 15 minutes away from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental by pumpboat. Life in the island is very laidback. The island is one of the major tourism attractions of San Carlos City.
III - 43
Lakawon Island Lakawon Island is located three kilometers off Cadiz Viejo, Cadiz City. This is a 15-hectare island rimmed with white sand beaches, coral reefs and coconut & talisay trees. Several fishing communities reside in the island and are also the source of labor for the resorts and hotels therein. Lakawon Island is one of the major tourism attractions in Cadiz City. It is a 20-minute boat ride from the mainland (Barangay Cadiz Viejo) to Lakawon.
Molocaboc Island Molocaboc is an island barangay located 21 kilometers and 600 meters (21.6 kilometers) from the town proper of Sagay City, and 8.5 kilometers to the north from the shore of Old Poblacion. The island has an area of 428 hectares and is composed of three islets namely: Molocaboc Grande, Molocaboc Diutay and Matabas Islet. Residents of the island are mostly fisherfolk and farmers.
Bulata Island Bulata Island, some 125 kilometers south of Bacolod City, is a forty three-(43) hectare island lying some 3.2 kilometers off the coast of the seashore town of Cauayan. Its white-sand beaches and dazzling underwater world rich in marine life makes it ideal for marine research and recreation. Presently, the island was declared as a marine sanctuary by the local Sangguniang to protect it from further destruction and poaching from illegal fishers.
III - 44
III - 45
Major Rivers Negros Occidental has the most number of rivers in the region, six of which are considered as major rivers namely: Sicaba, Himoga-an, Malogo, Bago, Binalbagan, Ilog and Sipalay. Himogaan river and its tributaries emanate from the eastern slope of a chain of volcanic mountain ranges in the northern part of Negros Island. Sicaba River starts from Mt. Silay and empties into Visayan Sea around Cadiz City. Malogo or Silay River originates from the western slope of Mt. Silay and empties into Guimaras Strait. Ilog River is the largest in the province. It is the principal drainage-way of the Ilog-Hilabangan River basin. Its headwaters originate at the northwestern tip of the basin with the river flowing in a southeast direction until it reverses its course to a general northwest direction and discharges into Panay Gulf. Sipalay River flows to the Sulu Sea coming from the mountainous areas near the boundary of Sipalay City and Candoni.
Table 7. Seven Major Rivers in Negros Occidental River 1. Sicaba River 2. Himoga-an River 3. Malogo River 4. Bago River 5. Binalbagan River 6. Ilog River 7. Sipalay River Location Cadiz City Sagay City Victorias City DSB, Murcia, Bago Binalbagan Kabankalan, Ilog Sipalay City Discharge (Million cu.m.) 329 1,387 574 1,822 1,641 4,499 640 Estimated Watershed Area (km2) 122 578 228 759 746 2,044 291
The Provincial Development Council of Negros Occidental has approved the proposed Irrigation Highway Project of Negros Occidental connecting all seven major rivers for agriculture, hydro power, domestic and industrial use including the overriding tourism potential of the project. Several private organizations both local and foreign have signified interest in the proposal of the province.
III - 46
Fishery and Aquatic Resources Of the 32 local government units, 12 cities and 13 municipalities are located along the coast of the province. On the other hand, 176 coastal barangays of the 662 barangays of the province are located in the 467.5 kilometers stretch of coastline of the province. The municipal waters in the province occupy a total of 5,176.91 square kilometers.
Fishing areas cover the fishing grounds that surround the island, namely: the Visayan Sea on the north, the Sulu Sea on the south, Taon Strait on the east and the Guimaras Strait and Panay Gulf at the southern portion of the province.
Fish culture in ponds has grown to more than 9,000 hectares in late 1980s to early 1990s with more than 3,000 hectares of prawn farms. However, by early 1990s prawn areas had drastically declined due to problems with diseases. Other species grown in fishponds include bangus, tilapia, shrimps, bulgan and kikiro. Sea farming and sea ranching are also being practiced in the province. Negros Occidentals fish production used to be more than the per capita consumption, however, over the years and due to coastal resources degradation and destruction, the province has become a net importer of fishery products.
Water Sources Water sources for domestic supply are categorized into three major sources: ground water, spring and surface source.
Ground Water source are divided into solo shallow well and deep Well. Shallow well areas are those water-bearing rock formations extending not more than 20 meters in depth below the ground surface while in deep well areas, the lower aquifers are located more than 20 meters below the ground surface. According to the Provincial Water Supply, Sewerage and Sanitation Sector Plan of Negros Occidental (2000), deep well areas cover approximately 75 percent of the province, widely distributed in the surroundings of northwestern volcanoes and the central part of the province.
III - 47
Spring is a natural outlet of groundwater at the ground surface. The province has 997 developed springs categorized into Level II and Level III water supply. Such springs emanate from volcanoes and mountains in the northwestern and southern parts of the province.
The major source of surface water in the province are Himogaan, Sicaba, Malogo, Napilas, Bago, Binalbagan, Hilabangan and Sipalay Rivers. According to National Water Regulatory Board (NWRB), 67.4 percent of the surface water use is registered for irrigation and 27.8 percent of water rights were registered for industrial use.
Natural Points of Interest Other natural points of interest noteworthy to mention are describe below. These natural points of interest are given attention because of their aesthetic beauty, historical importance and ecological value. Bagacay Cave Located at Barangay Bagacay, Calatrava, some 8 kilometers from the town proper of Calatrava. Bagacay Cave is accessible by foot after a 40 to 60 minute hike. It is famous for its mat-weaving history dated as far back as the Second World War. This cave is now a tourist attraction in Calatrava. Kevins Reef Kevins Reef is a submerged reef found at the off-shore of the sea-side town of Toboso. It has an area of about 80 hectares submerged to about 2 fathoms (12 ft.) deep. The reef can be accessed via a 10-minute pump-boat ride. Aside from being a divers haven, the reef serve as an ecosystem for the marine life in Toboso where fishing is one of its main source of income. Mainit Hot Spring The hot spring is located in Barangay San Isidro, Toboso, about 12 kilometers from the town proper. It is a tourist attraction in Toboso. Kampanoy Cave The cave is located at Barangay Gen. Luna, Toboso, some 5 kilometers from the town proper. Once inside the cave, one can see a feature of a large dome-cathedral. The cave used to be mined for guano and rock phosphate but now it is a tourist attraction particularly those that do cave adventure.
III - 48
Dalisun Falls This historical and magnificent waterfall at Sitio Vergara, Barangay Bug-ang, Toboso, cascades down from a height of about 250 feet. Japanese treasures were supposed to have been found at the top of the waterfall, thus making it as one of the tourism attraction in the locality. It also provides the water for potable and domestic needs of Toboso. Tamlang Cave The cave, located at Barangay Tamlang, Escalante used to be the hide-out and headquarters of the Filipino guerilla forces in the north during the Second World War. Stalactites and stalagmites in all forms and sizes, cave pearls and diamond rays are imbedded in the cave and 50 other caves in Escalante City. El Sueo Island Located about 2 kilometers to the east of Barangay Washington, Escalante City with an area of about one hectare and is accessible by foot during low tide. It is a coral island with little vegetation that is partly visible during high tide and is an ideal dive site. Fisheries also abound in the island as El Sueo is an important marine ecosystem in Escalante City. Isla Puti Isla Puti which means white sand appears to be a large reef-island with some thriving vegetation found on its two-hectare area. The island is an ideal place for a days trip from the main village of Bagong Banwa, Escalante City for coastal recreation. The island just like the rest of the islands in Escalante City is a valuable marine ecosystem in the city where fisheries is a major economic activity. Patag Valley The valley of 315.16 meters above sea level is located at the foot of Mt. Silay. After the landing of Americans in 1945 for the liberation of Negros, some 6,000 soldiers of the Japanese Imperial Army fled and took refuge in this mountain for their last stand. Presently, the area still abounds with concrete bunkers, foxholes and tunnels used by the Japanese. It is now one of the major agri-eco-tourism site of Silay City. Mambukal Resort Situated at Barangay Minoyan, Murcia, Mambukal Resort has an elevation of roughly 274.32 feet above sea level at the northwestern foot of Mt. Kanlaon. It boasts of its pristine environment, hot springs, bats, and seven waterfalls. It also serves as a gateway for trekkers to Mt. Kanlaon. Most endemic flora and fauna have been preserved in the resort. Areas surrounding Mambukal are target for natural resource rehabilitation and protection.
III - 49
Guintubdan Campsite Located in Sitio Guintubdan, Barangay Ara-al, La Carlota City, Guintubdan Campsite is a small village with an elevation of 750 meters above sea level at the western foot of Mt. Kanlaon. The place is also an ideal jump-off point for trekkers to the Mt. Kanlaon summit. Enchanted Lake Linao The lake is located in Barangay Bato, Hinigaran, some 10 kilometers from the town proper. It is famous for the tale of the giant Kugtong, a local fresh water fish locals say eats carabaos that drinks or bathe in the lake. It is also a source of irrigation water for agriculture. Freshwater fisheries also abound in the lake.
Calatong Forest - The 1,000 ha-Calatong forest is one of several limestone rainforest fragments in southwestern Negros Island. It has an elevation ranging from 20-270 m above sea level. The site is about 90 percent limestone rocks and 10 percent soil and several caves. Calatong Forest is home to the threatened Philippine Bare Back Fruit Bat and a major watershed of Sipalay City. Ubong Point Ubong Point is found near the once timber town of Hionoba-an, the last town in the south of Negros Occidental. Ubong Caves are actually three different caves. Two of the caves have a dry entrance, while one is accessible only from the sea. The caves with dry entrances are easy to visit. The third cave, which is accessible from the sea is a little different. The entrance of the cave is widened by the sea and forms a huge and impressive portal. The cave behind is accessible only with small fishing boats or by swimming, but swimming is not recommended as the sharp rocks and the waves often cause bad injuries. Because of its
inaccessibility this cave and its speleothems are in the best state of all three caves. The caves played a role during World War II, when the Philippines were occupied by the Japanese. The American Forces landed near Hinoba-an and used the town as their island headquarters. The submarine USS Gledgeon landed at Ubong Point and occupied Ubong Cave as command post. The cave was used to supply guerillas with food and arms. The caves are named after their location, Ubong Point, which is a peninsula on the west coast of the island near the former timber town Hinoba-an.
III - 50
3.1.3.
Main Geological Features of the Province
The geology of the province is considerably affected by the volcanic activity of Mt. Kanlaon, the latest explosion of which was in 2006. The erosion of sediments from the higher lands and the violent eruptions had filled up the portions of the western and southern parts of the province. The mudflow carried soil materials into the Guimaras Strait.
The rock units in the province are classified into three main groups based on the geologic ages. In geologic age these are: the Miocene and Older Systems, the Plio-Pleistocene Series and Recent Deposits or the Holocene Series.
The soil of the province is generally considered to come from two distinct origins. The western portion, largely influenced by the proximity of the seacoast, is of coralline origin while the southern and western parts are of volcanic origin. Silay fine sandy loam, Silay clay loam, Guimbala-on clay and Fara-on clay are the predominant types of soil which have been considered well-suited to the growing of the provinces major crop, sugarcane. Also prevalent are Bago clay which are favorable for rice and corn culture.
3.1.4.
Mineral Resources of the Province
The province is rich in mineral deposits and some areas have soil formations with potential for mining. Minerals which abound in the province are copper, comprising the biggest bulk, as well as gold, silver, manganese and molybdenum. The biggest deposit is in the City of Sipalay where two major mining firms are located. Non-metallic minerals for agricultural and industrial use including construction materials are also abundant in the province. These include rock phosphate, dolomitic and agricultural limestone. There are also the sand, gravel, boulders and aggregates that are used for construction purposes.
Most non-metallic minerals are abundant in the northernmost areas in the province such as Toboso, Calatrava, Escalante City, Sagay City and in Ilog. On the other hand, two major mining firms operate in southern Negros Occidental. These are Philex Gold Philippines, Inc. in Hinobaan and Maricalum Mining Corporation that mines copper in Sipalay City.
III - 51
III - 52
3.1.5.
Climate of the Province
Negros Occidental has two pronounced seasons, the wet and the dry. The dry season is from late December to early parts of May for northern Negros Occidental and from November to May for southern Negros Occidental. The rainy season starts in June in Northern Negros Occidental, reaches its peak in September and ends in October. The southern areas of the province experience rainy season starting June, attain its peak in August and level off towards the dry season. The northern monsoon prevails during the dry season while it is the southwest monsoon that dominates during the rainy season. In terms of agro-climatic zones, the province can be divided into four zones: Zone A. This includes cities of Talisay, Silay, Victorias, parts of Cadiz & Sagay, Escalante and municipalities of E.B.Magalona, Manapla, Toboso, and parts of Calatrava. This is a moderately high rainfall area due to its geographic position which is easily affected by the northeast and southwest monsoon. The dry season is not distinct and lasts for only 2-3 months (March-May) and relatively wet for the rest of the year. The crop growing period spans 8-9 months. Zone B. This zone covers parts of San Carlos City, parts of Don Salvador Benedicto,
Himamaylan City, Kabankalan City, and the whole of Candoni, Sipalay City, Hinoba-an, Bago City, Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, Hinigaran, Isabela, Binalbagan, Ilog, and Cauayan. These areas have a distinct dry and wet season. The dry season lasts about six months (late December to May). Some rainfall occurs especially in December to February due to the prevailing northeast monsoon. The length of crop growing period is 5-6 months. Zone C. This includes parts of San Carlos City, parts of Calatrava, Bacolod City, Murcia, and parts of Don Salvador Benedicto. This is a transition zone between Zones A and B. There is no distinct dry and wet season but it is characterized by a relatively low annual rainfall. Zone D. This covers the mountain range of Cadiz City, Sagay City, Himamaylan City,
Kabankalan City, Candoni, Sipalay City and Hinoba-an. This is a high rainfall area due to induced cloud formation given the high elevation (500 meter +) and cooler temperature. Temperate crops such as cabbage, baguio beans and coffee are grown throughout the year. Highest recorded rainfall in the province occurred in the months of May to November.
III - 53
III - 54
3.2. Land Use Potentials, Constraints and Development-Related Issues
3.2.1. Land Classification More than 68 percent of the total land area (792,607 hectares) of Negros Occidental is considered Alienable and Disposable (A & D) while the rest are Classified Forest Land (31.82%). The 6th congressional district occupies the largest portion of land in the province at 32.50 percent of the total land area of Negros Occidental, followed by the 5 th congressional district at 15.99 percent while the 4th congressional district occupies the least land area at 9.38 percent only. Correspondingly, the 6th congressional district has the biggest portion of the A & D lands at 24.66 percent followed by the 5th congressional district which occupies 17.95 percent. The 3rd congressional district has the least A & D lands at 11.73 percent of the total land area of the province. Moreover, because it has the biggest area, most of the Classified Forest Lands are found in the 6 th congressional district. The 1st congressional district is the second biggest where forest areas occupy 18 percent of its total land area and where the North Negros Natural Park is located.
Among LGUs, Hinoba-an has the largest forest land in the province at about 28,000 hectares followed by Cauayan and Sipalay City. All three LGUs are located in the 6th district. On the other hand, Kabankalan City has the largest A & D lands in the province at more than 54,000 hectares followed by Cadiz City at 38,000 hectares and Bago City at about 36,500 hectares.
III - 55
Table 8. Land Classification, by Municipality/City and Congressional District Location Negros Occidental Bacolod City 1st DISTRICT Calatrava Escalante City Don Salvador Benedicto Toboso San Carlos City 2nd DISTRICT Cadiz City Manapla Sagay City 3rd DISTRICT E.B. Magalona Murcia Talisay City Victorias City Silay City 4th DISTRICT Bago City La Carlota City Pontevedra Pulupandan San Enrique Valladolid 5th DISTRICT Binalbagan Himamaylan City Hinigaran Isabela La Castellana Moises Padilla 6th DISTRICT Candoni Cauayan Hinoba-An Ilog Kabankalan City Sipalay City Source: LEP- FMS, DENR 6 Total Land Area (Ha.) 792,607.00 15,610.00 124,256.00 43,960.00 12,500.00 17,056.00 12,340.00 38,400.00 101,900.00 51,650.00 11,290.00 38,960.00 91,997.00 11,332.00 28,455.00 17,340.00 13,390.00 21,480.00 74,393.00 40,210.00 13,732.00 11,250.00 2,300.00 2,100.00 4,801.00 126,801.00 18,540.00 38,420.00 16,080.00 17,740.00 21,651.00 14,370.00 257,650.00 19,170.00 51,990.00 42,410.00 28,170.00 72,640.00 43,270.00 Alienable & Disposable (Ha.) 540,385.62 15,610.00 78,633.21 30,179.00 11,116.00 5,796.00 11,289.21 20,253.00 82,732.82 38,030.00 10,896.80 33,806.02 63,416.94 6,267.00 17,808.00 10,620.00 10,585.00 18,136.94 69,695.00 36,559.00 12,685.00 11,250.00 2,300.00 2,100.00 4,801.00 97,023.75 10,388.75 25,435.00 16,080.00 13,710.00 18,224.00 13,186.00 133,273.90 6,971.00 25,886.50 14,543.90 14,395.50 54,605.00 16,872.00 Forest Land (Ha.) Total 252,221.38 45,622.79 13,781.00 1,384.00 11,260.00 1,050.79 18,147.00 19,167.18 13,620.00 393.20 5,153.98 28,580.06 5,065.00 10,647.00 6,720.00 2,805.00 3,343.06 4,698.00 3,651.00 1,047.00 29,777.25 8,151.25 12,985.00 4,030.00 3,427.00 1,184.00 124,376.10 12,199.00 26,103.50 27,866.10 13,774.50 18,035.00 26,398.00 Classified 252,221.38 45,622.79 13,781.00 1,384.00 11,260.00 1,050.79 18,147.00 19,167.18 13,620.00 393.20 5,153.98 28,580.06 5,065.00 10,647.00 6,720.00 2,805.00 3,343.06 4,698.00 3,651.00 1,047.00
29,777.25 8,151.25 12,985.00 4,030.00 3,427.00 1,184.00 124,376.10 12,199.00 26,103.50 27,866.10 13,774.50 18,035.00 26,398.00
III - 56
III - 57
3.2.2.
Land Suitability
According to the DA-BSWM (Map 10), Negros Occidental is suitable to rice paddies, cultivated annual crops, perennial tree and vine crops, production forest, forestry plantation, fishponds/mangroves because of its varied land topography and soil characteristics.
Rice paddies and cultivated annual crops are suitable in central and northern Negros Occidental. Thus, most of the areas are planted to rice and sugarcane. The Bago River Irrigation System (BRIS), the biggest irrigation system in the province, provides irrigation to more than 13,200 hectares, mainly rice (12,777 hectares) and sugarcane (500 hectares). Fishponds/Mangroves are also best suited in the central and northern part of the province. Both crops and fisheries are mostly located in areas with less than 3 percent slope. In areas with about 18 percent slope (i.e. Calatrava, Toboso and Escalante City), perennial tree and vine crops are also suitable.
In southern Negros Occidental and the far north of the province, where 18 percent and higher slopes abound, forestry plantations, production forest and perennial tree and vine crops are highly suitable. On the other hand, cultivated annual crops are best grown in areas with less than 18 percent slope.
The province has a potential of 100,000 hectares for irrigated rice production area. Present irrigation development status, however, shows that less than 50 percent are being developed with available areas for expansion. Practically all areas planted to sugarcane can also be planted to corn. Almost all kinds of vegetables are already being produced in the low lands with the proliferation of hybrid and all-season vegetable varieties.
III - 58
III - 59
3.2.3.
Protection Areas
Protection lands in the province includes all protection land categories as follows: National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), Non-NIPAS, areas prone to hazards, other environmentally constrained areas, and Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZ)
a. National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Areas Areas proclaimed, designated or set aside by law, presidential decree, presidential proclamation or executive order as a national park, game refuge, bird and wildlife sanctuary, wilderness area, strict nature reserve, watershed, mangrove reserve, fish sanctuary, natural and historical landmark, or protected and managed landscapes and seascapes including virgin forests. The Sagay Marine Reserve consists of 32,000 hectares of marine waters in Sagay City, was declared as a protected area in June 1995 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 592. Initially started with the Carbin Reef, which has an aggregate area of 200 hectares, it has expanded in 1990 to cover Maca Reef, Maca Shoal and Panal Reef. Also known as the Sagay Marine Reserve (SMR), it was established in 1978 to preserve and maintain a highly productive, biologically diversified, and ecologically balanced marine ecosystem through community-based management.
It has watchtowers in Carbin and Maca Reefs equipped with solar-powered lights and surveillance equipment to assist fishermen navigating at night as well as to strengthen law enforcement activities. The sanctuary, with its coral reefs, mangroves and sea grass beds, is the main reason for the lucrative fishing industry in Sagay City. Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP), with a land area of 24,577.6 hectares of rainforest and verdant vegetation sliced from the cities of Bago, La Carlota, San Carlos and Canlaon (in Negros Oriental) and the towns of Murcia and La Castellana, was proclaimed as a protected area through Presidential Proclamation No. 1005 on May 8, 1997. Mt. Kanlaon is one of the mountain ranges found in the heart of Negros Island. One of the countrys 13 most active volcanoes, Kanlaon is the highest peak in central Philippines at
III - 60
an elevation of 2,435 meters above sea level, the most dominant and attractive feature of which is its active summit-crater.
Mt. Kanlaon was declared a National Park by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 721 on August 8, 1934; among the very first areas declared as such after the National Park System was institutionalized in 1932. It was later proclaimed in 1997 as a protected area under the category of a Natural Park, following the present system of classification. Rare endemic species such as the Bleeding Heart Pigeon and the Negros Fruit Dove can be found in this park, which makes bird watching a prime attraction. Other birds include woodpeckers, bulbuls, babblers, warblers and flycatchers. The Guintubdan Nature Camp in La Carlota City is one of the best take-off points in climbing Mt. Kanlaon.
Another component of the NIPAS is the former North Negros Forest Reserve, declared as the North Negros Natural Park (NNNP) through Presidential Proclamation No. 895 on August 15, 2005. NNNP is, so far, the largest protected area in Western Visayas and the second in the Visayas Island, with a total land area of 80,454.50 hectares covering five component cities and five municipalities.
Among the various forested areas of Negros Island, it has the largest remaining forest cover estimated at 22,288.80 hectares. Being part of the Bago River Watershed, NNNP is the main source of water for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses of towns and cities in the northern part of Negros Occidental.
NNNP constitutes several ecosystems that serve as important habitats to assorted wildlife species, many of them endemic to the Negros-Panay Bio-geographic Zone, and mostly considered as threatened. Among the threatened mammal species found in the NNNP are the Philippine Spotted Deer and the Visayan Warty Pigs. Some 44 percent of the 140 bird species recorded in the area are known to be found only in the Philippines. Among them are the Visayan Hornbills, Negros Bleeding Heart Pigeons, Visayan Flower Picker and Blue-Nape Parrot. The area is also noted for its diverse floral composition, especially the dipterocarp species of trees.
III - 61
The Bago Watershed Forest Reservation (BWFR) lies in the northwestern portion of the Negros Island within the province of Negros Occidental. It falls within the
jurisdiction of eight local government units comprising four cities (Bago, San Carlos, La Carlota and Talisay) and four municipalities (Murcia, Don Salvador Benedicto, Pulupandan and Calatrava). As a whole, the watershed covers an aggregate land area of 94,325.37 hectares.
The BWFR occupies 66 percent or 61,926 hectares of the entire Bago watershed while Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park and North Negros Natural Park cover an area of 13.7 percent or 12,872 hectares and 19 percent or 18,102.7 hectares, respectively. It was declared as a protected area on June 28, 1990 under Presidential Proclamation No. 604.
The Ilog-Hilabangan Watershed covers an area of 10,211 hectares. It has an influence area of about 5,520 square kilometers including 15 local government units in both the Negros Occidental and the Oriental Negros provinces affecting more than a million populace. It was declared as a protected area on June 28, 1990 under Presidential
Proclamation No. 602. The Ilog-Hilabangan River Basin is the 11th largest river basin in the country and is the largest in Negros island.
b. Non-NIPAS areas Non-NIPAS are areas with outstanding physical and aesthetic features, anthropological significance, and biological diversity but are not yet included under NIPAS. These include areas with elevation > 1,000 meters and slope > 50%. It also covers mangrove forests, buffer strips, freshwater swamps and marshes and eroded river banks.
Non-NIPAS with elevation > 1,000 meters areas are also located in the NIPAS declared areas (Map 11). These would include Mt. Mandalagan, Mt. Silay and the upper portion of Mt. Kanlaon. Non-NIPAS with slope > 50% are found in the upland portions of Silay City, Talisay City, Murcia, DSBenedicto, San Carlos City, Isabela, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City, Kabankalan City, Cauayan, Candoni, Sipalay City and Small area of Hinoba-an.
III - 62
These areas are watersheds and forest lands which are quite significant ecosystem for the lowland community in terms of water and remaining endemic flora and fauna in the province.
Danjugan Island is the largest of the Bulata Islands in Cauayan, Negros Occidental, whose white sand beaches and underwater world rich in marine life makes it a favorite destination of foreign and local diving enthusiasts and conservationists. Managed by the Philippine Reefs and Rainforests Conservation Foundation, Inc. (PRRCFI), this 1.5 kilometer-long and half-kilometer-wide island is comprised of lush tropical forest, five lagoons, beach and mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs. PRRCFI regulates the influx of visitors to Danjugan in consideration of the islands carrying capacity at any given time.
In February 2000, the national government has declared the surrounding fringing reefs around the island as the Danjugan Island Marine Reserve and Sanctuaries the first of its kind in Negros Occidental and the first marine protected area in the country developed and managed by the private sector. The DENR, Department of Agriculture, the
Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development and the University of the Philippines recognized Danjugan Island in 2001 as the Best Managed Reef.
c. Areas Prone to Natural Hazards Negros Occidental is prone to various natural hazards like typhoon, tsunami, volcanic activity, flooding, earthquakes as well as El Nio or prolonged dry season. Based on the report of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council of the province, 31 cities and municipalities (excluding Bacolod City), all 31 LGUs are under threat of typhoon and flooding, earthquake and El Nio phenomenon. A total of 28 cities and municipalities are prone to landslide. Of the two major volcanoes in the province, Mt. Kanlaon and Mt. Mandalagan, only Mt. Kanlaon has a history of activity. During volcanic eruption, airfall tephra and ballistic projections could affect La
Castellana and to some extent, portions of Pontevedra, Isabela, San Carlos City, La Carlota City, Murcia, D.S. Benedicto and Moises Padilla .
III - 63
There are fault lines are following the north-east direction affecting Himamaylan City, Candoni, Ilog, Kabankalan City, San Carlos City, Calatrava and Toboso. Twenty-six cities and municipalities located in coastal areas are prone to strong wave action.
The greatest damage to agriculture, infrastructure and private property was in 2008 when typhoon Frank devastated many of the provinces in Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental. Total damage to agriculture reached P289 million, infrastructure P71 million, property P14 million. Total persons affected were more than 100,000 with 22 casualties.
Several areas of the province particularly those nearby stream, rivers and coastal areas are prone to liquefaction. Liquefaction1 is the process that leads to a soil suddenly losing strength, most commonly as a result of ground shaking during a large earthquake. Liquefaction will most likely to occur in sands and silts and quite loose in the ground. Such soils do not stick together the way clay soils do and they are below the water table. When an earthquake occurs the shaking is so rapid and violent that the sand and silt grains try to compress the spaces filled with water, but the water pushes back and pressure builds up until the grains float in the water. These areas are located near the coastal areas of Silay City, Talisay City, Bacolod City, boundary of Pulupandan and Bago City, San Carlos City, Kabankalan City and boundaries of Sipalay City and Cauayan.
Soil subsidence may occur near the coastal areas of Talisay City and Bacolod City. Kabankalan City, possible soil subsidence may happen along Ilog-Hilabangan River.
In Soil
subsidence is the sudden sinking or gradual downward settling of the earth's surface with little or no horizontal motion. Subsidence may be caused by natural geologic processes, such as solution, thawing, compaction, slow crustal warping, or withdrawal of fluid lava from beneath a solid crust; or by man's activity, such as subsurface mining or the pumping of oil or ground water (Wikipedia).
The only area declared as ancestral domain in Negros Occidental is the Damutan Valley in the municipality of Hinoba-an. Worth mentioning is barangay Carol-an in Kabankalan City which is
Fact sheets compiled and distributed by the Institution of Professional Engineers of New Zealand, March 4, 2011
III - 64
recognized by the city government as their ancestral domain however, as of this writing, it has not yet been conferred with the NCIP and the DENR for its official declaration.
Table 9. Hazard Assessment Profile in Negros Occidental LGUS Under HAZARDS Total LGUs Threat 1. Landslide 2. Flood 3. Typhoon 4. Earthquake 5. Volcanic Eruption 6. El Nio Source: PDCC, Negros Occidental 28 31 31 31 8 31 31 31 31 31 31 31
% LGUS under Threat 90 % 100% 100% 100% 26% 100%
Table 10. Cost of Damage of Calamities and Hazard in Negros Occidental

INDICATORS
Damage to Agriculture (PhP) Damage to Infra-structure (PhP) Damage to Property (PhP) Families Affected (PhP) Persons Affected (No.) Relief Assistance (PhP) Human Casualty (No.)
2001
287 M
2002
95 M
2003
58 M
2004
15 M
2005
15 M
2006
13 M
2007
10 M
2008
289 M
2009
15 M
108 M
27 M
5M
5M
71 M
395 M 73, 846 397,375
95 M 15, 960 85, 881
85 M 12, 288 64, 291
10 M 3, 524 32, 740
10 M 5, 576 33, 246
10 M 3, 200 16, 000
10 M 22, 584 112, 920
14 M 20, 901 103, 566
10 M 18, 896 84, 408
7.3 M
1.4 M
0.5 M
0.622 M
0.421 M
0.288 M
2.032 M
1.8 M
1.626 M
58
18
22
Source: PDCC, Negros Occidental
III - 65
Fig. 6. Mt. Kanlaon Volcanic Lava Flow Hazard Map
Fig. 7. Mt. Kanlaon Pyroclastic Flow and Lahar Hazard Map
III - 66
d. Other Environmentally Constrained Areas Other environmentally constrained areas are those not mentioned in previous discussion but needs attention and probably, protection.
Difficult Area for Ground Water Some areas of the province are not suitable for well development. The areas categorized as difficult for ground water availability largely consist of rock formations older than Miocene epoch. Ground water availability in the aforesaid rocks is very low and water is rarely released in the opened rock fractures.
About 25 percent of the provincial area are classified as difficult areas to exploit groundwater, in which the volcanoes and the mountain system exist. These are located in the northwestern and southern portions of the province. The water quality problem in deep wells includes ironic groundwater and saline water intrusion. Saline water intrusion problem is predominant in Ilog, Bago City, EBMagalona, Manapla and Toboso. High ironic content areas are found in Kabankalan City, Isabela, Murcia and Cadiz City.
Severely Eroded Areas The municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto, which used to be a forest area, is severely eroded. The rapid removal of forest trees has greatly affected the retention of natural soil cover. Since the area is mountainous and rolling, soil run-off and erosion are usual phenomena during heavy rains. Other areas that are severely eroded are the upland potions facing the coastline of San Carlos City, Calatrava, Toboso, Escalante City, Cauayan and Sipalay City. There are also spots of severely eroded areas on the upland areas of Silay City, EB Magalona, La Carlota City and Bago City. Most severely eroded areas are found at the foot hills of non-NIPAS areas (Map 11).
III - 67
e. Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZ)
SAFDZ refers to the areas within the Network of Protected Areas for Agricultural and Agroindustrial Development (NPAAAD) identified for production, agro-processing and marketing activities to help develop and modernize, with the support of government, the agriculture and fisheries sectors in an environmentally and socio-culturally sound manner (RA 8435 - AFMA)
Some areas classified as SAFDZ have varying degrees of conversion restrictions. Administrative Order 20 provides that all irrigated lands, irrigable lands already covered by irrigation projects with firm funding commitments, and lands with existing or having the potential for growing highvalue crops so delineated and included within the SAFDZ shall not be converted for a period of five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act: Provided, however, that not more than five percent (5%) of the said lands located within the SAFDZ may be converted upon compliance with existing laws, rules, regulations, executive orders and issuances, and administrative orders relating to land use conversion (RA 8435). Most of the large irrigated areas are located in the 4 th, 5th, and 6th congressional districts of the province. Only Murcia covers a large portion of irrigated lands in the 3 rd district with Victorias and EB Magalona having a smaller hectarage of irrigated lands relative to Murcia. DS Benedicto and Calatrava have large irrigated areas in the 1st district. Thus, conversion from agricultural lands (SAFDZ) into non-agricultural use such as residential or commercial is highly regulated and evaluated thoroughly by the LGU and the Provincial Land Use Committee (PLUC).
These irrigated areas are largely planted to rice, vegetables, high value crops and sugarcane.
III - 68
Table 11. Irrigation Development in Negros Occidental Local Government Unit Bacolod City District 1 San Carlos City Calatrava Toboso Escalante City DS Benedicto 237.00 782.00 120.00 50.00 614.32 Bago City Pulupandan Valladolid San Enrique Pontevedra La Carlota City District 2 Sagay City Cadiz City Manapla 454.66 483.47 29.00 Moises Padilla La Castellana Isabela Hinigaran Binalbagan Himamaylan City District 3 Victorias City E.B. Magalona Silay City Talisay City Murcia 314.00 200.00 40.00 169.00 744.74 Kabankalan City Ilog Cauayan Candoni Sipalay City Hinoba-an Grand Total Source: NIA; OPA, Negros Occidental District 6 674.28 528.84 972.00 261.50 926.65 390.27 27,091.05 District 5 1.251.50 646.76 577.00 102.50 1,100.00 1,006.53 Irrigation Service Area (Ha) 94.95 District 4 9,487.03 225.60 3,041.25 879.20 300.00 387.00 Local Government Unit Irrigation Service Area (Ha)
III - 69
Fig. 8. Ground Water Availability Map
III - 70
III - 71
4. ECONOMY 4.1 Economic Structure 4.1.1 External Context of the Local Economy
The total family income in the province is P43,604 million, based on the Family Income and Expenditures Survey, 2000. This is 38 percent of the total family income of Region VI of P114,428 million or the highest in the region. The biggest source of income is other service industries with P18,135 million, followed by agriculture with P10,285 million.
Of the total income of households in Region VI of P114,428 million, Negros Occidental accounts for P43,604.17 million or 38 percent of the total. Iloilo province comes next in terms of total family income with P40,600.80 million or 36 percent of the regional total. Guimaras province ranks last with only 1.82 percent. Compared with other provinces, the total family income of households derived from agriculture accounts for 8.99 percent of the total family income of households in the region. Other than agriculture, the province also accounts for large share in community, recreational and personal services and also in other service industries.
Figure 6. Overall distribution of the regional economy

Aklan 7.22%
Negros Occ. 38.11%
Antique 7.32% Capiz 10.05%
Guimaras 1.82%
Iloilo 35.48%
Fig. 9. Overall Distribution of the Regional Economy
III - 72
Table 12. Data Matrix: Total Family Income (P Million) by Household Head, by kind of Business/Industries, 2000 Kind of Business/Industry
Province
Agriculture
Manufacturing
Construction
Mining & Quarrying
Wholesale & Retail
Community, Recreational & Personal Services
Transportation, Storage & Communication Services
Other Service Industries
Not Defined
Total
Aklan Antique Capiz

Guimaras
1,336.50 1,959.12 2,491.26 182.85 4,894.56 10,284.99 21,149.28
155.11 26.95 99.14 14.25 759.43 622.20 1,677.08
22.88 8.69 309.85 148.23 489.65
26.73 10.53 37.26
697.15 614.04 574.94 231.06 3,563.46 2,811.34 8,491.99
251.00 57.66 279.43 852.17 1,239.92 2,681.05
181.10 94.32 468.20 51.83 1,276.66 822.81 2,894.92
3,271.08 2,432.98 4,856.99 950.73 15,375.35 18,135.43 45,022.56
2,350.21 3,196.19 2,719.22 647.57 13,542.66 9,528.72 31,984.59
8,265.90 8,381.26 11,489.18 2,086.98 40,600.80 43,604.17 114,428.38
Iloilo
Negros Occidental
Region VI
Total family income of households of Negros Occidental derived from agriculture accounts for 48.63 percent of the total family income in the entire region. Likewise, other service industries which accounts for 40.28 percent have contributed much in the total family income in the region.
Other service industries account for 41.59 percent of the total family income of households in the entire province, followed closely by agriculture with 23.59 percent. Other businesses or
industries account for relatively small shares. (refer to FIES for definition of other service industries)
Among the provinces, Negros Occidental accounts for the biggest share of agriculture in the total provincial economy (23.59 percent). On the other hand, agriculture in Guimaras accounts for only 8.76 percent of the total provincial economy.
III - 73
Table 13. Joint Probability Shares of Family Income (%) by Household Head by Kind of Business/Industry, 2000
Kind of Business/Industry Mining & Quarrying Wholesale & Retail Community, Recreational & Personal Services 0.22 0.05 0.24 0.75 1.08 2.34 Transportation, Storage & Communication Services 0.16 0.08 0.41 0.04 1.12 0.72 2.53 Other Service Industries
Province
Agriculture
Manufacturing
Construction
Not Defined
Total
Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo

Negros Occidental
1.16 1.71 2.18 0.16 4.28 8.99 18.48
0.14 0.02 0.09 0.01 0.66 0.54 1.46 -
0.02
0.61 0.54 0.50 0.20 3.11 2.46 7.42
2.86 2.13 4.25 0.83 13.43 15.85 39.35
2.05 2.79 2.38 0.57 11.84 8.33 27.96
7.22 7.32 10.05 1.82 35.48 38.11 100.00
0.01 0.27 0.13 0.43
0.02 0.01 0.03
Region VI
4.1.2 Patterns of Industry Concentration and Specialization In terms of patterns of industry concentration, we can say that Negros Occidental placed more focused on agriculture (48.63 percent) and the service industries (40.28 percent) being ranked first in these two sectors. Iloilo dominated the rest of the industries to include manufacturing, construction, mining and quarying, wholesale and retail, and community, recreational and personal services at 45.28 percent, 45.28 percent, 71.74 percent, 41.96 percent, and 41.96 percent, respectively.
Capiz ranked third in agriculture and other service industries and fourth in manufacturing and construction. Aklan, where tourism is strong due to the presence of Boracay, ranked fifth in agriculture and fourth in other services in the region but ranked third in manufacturing, construction, wholesale & retail, community, recreational & personal services and transportation, storage, communication services. Guimaras consistently ranked last, being a small province, compared to other larger provinces in the region.
III - 74
4.1.3 Basic Sectors and Corresponding Industries
Region VIs economy still rely to a larger extent in agriculture and the service industries. Negros Occidental and Antique provinces have an almost similar percentage of family income specializing in the sector of agriculture at 23.59 percent and 23.38 percent, respectively. It may be presumed that the other services industries may also be agriculture-based industries. This may be so since vast tract of lands in the region are still into agriculture use. Sugarcane, rice and corn are still largely planted in the region.
Table 14. Concentration: Total Family Income (%) by Household Head, by Kind of Business/Industry, 2000
Kind of Business/Industry Province Mining & Quarrying 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 71.74 28.26 Wholesale & Retail 8.21 7.23 6.77 2.72 41.96 33.11 Community, Recreational & Personal Services 8.21 7.23 6.77 2.72 41.96 33.11 Transportation, Storage & Communication Services 8.21 7.23 6.77 2.72 41.96 33.11 Other Service Industries 7.27 5.40 10.79 2.11 34.15 40.28
Agriculture
Manufacturing
Construction
Not Defined
Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo Negros Occidental Region VI
6.32 9.26 11.78 0.86 23.15 48.63
9.25 1.61 5.91 0.85 45.28 37.10
9.25 1.61 5.91 0.85 45.28 37.10
7.35 9.99 8.50 2.03 42.34 29.79
100.00
100.00
100.00 100.00 100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00 100.00
Table 15. Specialization: Total Family Income (%) by Household Head, by Kind of Business/Industry, 2000
Kind of Business/Industry CommTranspor Mining unity, -tation, Whole& RecreaStorage, sale & Quartional & Communi Retail rying Personal -cation Services Services 0.00 8.43 3.05 2.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.07 0.02 7.33 5.00 11.07 8.78 6.45 0.69 2.43 0.00 2.10 2.84 1.13 4.08 2.46 3.14 1.89 Other Service Industries 39.57 29.02 42.28 45.56 37.86 41.59
Province
Agriculture
Manufacturing
Construc -tion
Not Defined
Total
Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo

Negros Occidental
16.17 23.38 21.68 8.76 12.06 23.59
1.87 0.32 0.86 0.69 1.87 1.43
0.29 0.00 0.00 0.42 0.76 0.34
28.43 38.13 23.67 31.04 33.36 21.85
100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
III - 75
25 20
15
10 5 0
Series1
Aklan 16.17
Antique 23.38
Capiz 21.68
Guimaras 8.76
Iloilo 12.06
Neg. Occ. 23.59
Figure 10. Share Diagram. Agriculture: Shares of Total Family Income by HH Head Business/Industry, Region VI, 2000
4.1.4 Sectors that Account for Large Shares The province identifies the following sectors/economic activities that account for large shares in terms of production, income and number of jobs generated:
Not Defined Other Services Transportation Communication Wholesale Mining Construction Manufacturing Agriculture
0
Agriculture Series1 23.59
10
15
Mining 0.02
20
Wholesale 6.45
25
30
35
40
45
Manufacturing Construction 1.43 0.34
Communication Transportation Other Services Not Defined 2.84 1.89 41.59 21.85
Figure 11. Histogram. Specialization: Shares of Total Family Income by HH Head Business/Industry, 2000
III - 76
a. Sugar Industry The sugar industry in Negros Occidental is the lifeblood industry of the Negrense considering that it accounts for 60 percent of the total production of the country making it the top producer of sugar in the country. The sugar industry of Negros Occidental, which generated $75 million (P58 billion) in sugar exports in CY 2006 employed around 525,000 workers in the countryside.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) reported that as of 2008, the Province of Negros Occidental has 14 sugar mills. However, only 10 sugar mills are operating with an average sugar production of 123,937 MT. Victorias Milling Company in Victorias City is the largest sugar mill in the country, and the world's largest integrated sugar mill and refinery. The area harvested in 2006-2007 slightly increased but the tonnage of cane milled decreased. High cost of production, mill-gate prices and other factors greatly affected the production of sugarcane.
Table 16. Cane Production, Negros Occidental, Crop Year 2004-2005 to 2006-2007 Area Harvested (in Hectares)
2004-2005 Negros Occidental 164,455.00 2005-2006 164,308.00 2006-2007 165,058.00
Gross Tons of Cane Milled (MT)

2004-2005 11,169,736.70 2005-2006 11,576,869.00 2006-2007 9,926,590.00
Source: SRA, Bacolod City
b. Manufacturing The Province have major industries that provide significant economic impact in terms of employment and investments generation. In the manufacturing sector, the two most
promising sectors that can provide greater impact in the provincial economy are the Processed Food and the Gifts, Toys and Households Wares (GTH) sectors, with Negros Occidental positioning itself as the Giftware and Holiday Dcor Center of the country, total investments reached to P 64,472,000 and employed 134 workers in 2000. Other industries are garments, furniture, and metalworking.
III - 77
c. Trading and Retailing Under the Services Sector, the Trading/Retailing sub-sector accounts for the largest share in terms of employment and investments.
d.Tourism Negros Occidental is not only known as the sugar bowl of the Philippines but is also noted for its scenic spots, mountains and beach resorts. There are also a variety of arts and antique shops as well as ceramics, shell and handicraft stores which are considered tourist attractions.
Other points of interest in the province include several historical and religious landmarks. These spots are scattered throughout the province, although some is within the citys environment.
Considered as one of the major industries in the province, tourism has a promising potential in terms of generating revenues and employment that will contribute to the local as well as national economy of the country.
Tourist arrivals and receipts showed a fluctuating trend for the period covering 2006-2008 with 2007 indicating a downtrend which is attributed to the global crises. The CY 2008 has a remarkable increase with 1,066,753 tourist arrivals with total receipts of P2,447,261,073.
Province
Agricuture 0.87 1.26 1.17 0.48 0.65 1.28
Manufacturing 1.33 0.19 0.61 0.38 1.27 0.97
Construction 0.65 0 0 1.28 1.77 0.79
Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo Negros Occidental
Kind of Business/Industry Mining Whole- Community, & sale Recreational & Personal Quar& Services rying Retail 0.00 1.14 1.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.89 0.88 0.99 0.72 1.48 1.18 0.87 0.29 1.02 0.00 0.90 1.21
Transportation, Storage & Communication Services
Other Service Industries 0.01 0.74 1.07 1.16 0.96 1.06
Not Defined 1.02 1.36 0.85 1.12 1.19 -0.78
0.88 0.43 1.61 0.87 1.25 0.75
Table 17. Location Quotients: Total Family Income by Household Head, by Kind of Business/Industry, 2000
III - 78
4.2 Potentials for Contributing to Local Economic Growth
4.2.1 Economic Based Industries
Industries that the province are relatively efficient, and have greater impact to local economic growth:
Sugar Industry
Sugar industry remains the biggest industry in the Province, in terms of employment and value added. Below are the major products and bi-products of sugar industry:
With the establishment of San Carlos City and Binalbagan Bio-ethanol plants and their expected full operation, local and regional economy will greatly be benefitted in terms of income, production and employment generation.
As one of the by-products of sugar, molasses has contributed and add-up to the income generation of the industry because of the demand in local and national economy.
Issues/problems The monocrop economy of the province has brought periods of crisis in the sugar industry in the early years due to depressed prices of the commodity in the world market. From this sad experience of over-dependence to a monocrop economy, the province has learned one of its hardest lessons. While there are vast tracts of lands that are suitable to various uses, production in many areas are marginal due to high cost of production inputs. This makes the province a perennial importer of basic crops such as rice, corn, vegetable and fruits. Coupled with this, global competitiveness has brought the sugar industry to struggle in terms of competition in the global market.
Prospects Sugar as the dominant industry in the province accounts for 60% of the provincial economy which most of the populace are dependent on considering of its monocrop status. With the
III - 79
stable global market prices, plus the establishments of bio-ethanol plants, the prospects of sustaining the positive trend of the industry have gained momentum.
The Provincial Government aggressively supports the move of sugar planters to utilize excess sugar for the production of bio-ethanol and other bio-fuel sources in line with the implementation of the Bio-fuels Act. The realization of this endeavor will greatly
contribute to the local and national economy
Tourism Tourism industry holds economic importance to the national and regional development in the country particularly in the Province of Negros Occidental. Tourists allocate income to spend for their vacation, leisure, adventure, attendance to special events and other tourismrelated activities. There is, therefore a need to vigorously pursue the establishment and improvement of tourism facilities and services in the various sites within the province. Success in tourism development means increase in employment and income and generating more revenues for public services. With these perceived benefits, Tourism Development and Promotion has been identified as one of the priority agenda reflected in HEARTS Plus agenda of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental
Issues and Problems One of the issues and problems that beset the tourism sector is the inadequate tourism promotion and institutional support. Tourism development should be based on sound management of resources and must be sensitive to local customs and traditions. There is a need to provide full support to tourism alliances and encourage the development and promotion of tourism circuits within and outside the province.
Another concern that needs to be addressed is peace and order situation. The perception of an unstable peace and order situation scare tourists away and keep them from visiting various tourism attractions in the province. Moreover, the inadequate tourism facilities/amenities and services need to be further enhanced to attract more visitors and encourage then to keep coming.
III - 80
Prospects The province is endowed with natural points of interest, historical-cultural landmarks and heritage, and local events/festivals which are potential tourism winners. Although sugar will remain as the major industry, tourism industry will greatly contribute to the provincial economy. With the active support to tourism industry from the local government units, the rich historical/cultural heritage, natural tourists attractions and a wide array of tourism products will make the province attractive for investors.
Employment Tourism industry, considered as one of the major industries, has substantially contributed to the local and regional economy in term of revenue and employment generation. In CY 2008, total receipts amounted to P2.4 Billion and employed huge number of local manpower province-wide.
4.2.2 Local employment growth
Industries employing or likely to employ local labor are the following:
Manufacturing
DTI-Negros Occidental data on Business Name Registration, for a five-year period (20042008) recorded an increasing trend in investment generation in the Province of Negros Ocidental. Except for the years 2006 and 2007, there was a negative percent change in investment of 92% in the latter year, which was brought about by the registration in the Processed Food and Beverage sector amounting to P3.21Billion in 2006. In 2008, again, there was a tremendous increase of investment of 367 percent compared to year 2007.
Zeroing-in on the priority manufacturing sectors, i.e., the Processed Food, Gifts, Toys and Housewares (GTH), Garments, and Furniture & Furnishings, investments generated in the same period were in fluctuating trend. The furniture, garments, and GTH groups recorded a negative percent change in the years 2007 and 2008 (of which the former is the base year).
III - 81
Only the processed food sector, on the other hand, exhibited a positive change of 556% (in the same period, 2007-2008).
Adverse effects of the economic slow-down, global competition (influx of importedcheaper products), and competition among local players are cited for the unfavorable generation of investments.
Trading/Retailing
Based on the data sourced from DTI-Negros Occidental Provincial Office, investments in trading/retailing business are characterized by an erratic trend based on the yearly registration. However, despite the crisis, last years investments has increased by 144 percent compared to 2007 recorded investments. This indicates that business owners are more likely to venture in trading business than manufacturing because the latter cost them much in the production inputs (which often times unpredictable). While in trading, minimal requirements are needed to engage in business, with much focus only be given to the selling efforts for a faster inventory turn-over and return on investment.
1. Industry Concentration and specialization (map, by-products, location) Processed food Mostly (at least 90%) concentrated in Bacolod City GTH at least 98% located in Bacolod City 2. Key support Infrastructure
Infrastructure 6.1 Common Service Facilities (CSFs) a. Food Laboratory
Existing
Proposed
b. Training Center c. Labeling and Packaging Center
Negros Occidental Technology and Livelihood Development Center (NOTLDC)
- Food Laboratory for Nutritional Facts Analysis, Shelf Life Testing and other related tests. - Strengthen the services of NOTLDC
III - 82
4.2.3 Competitiveness and Market Share
Industries/products that are becoming more competitive and are increasing market shares
Tourism
Major Tourist Destinations Negros Occidental is characterized by vast agricultural plains, mountain lands and some of the countrys lush forests. Among of its sights and attractions in the island are the inland resorts, beach resorts, historical and cultural and various festivals of the local government units.
Inland Resorts Mambukal Resort is one of the resorts in the island that is famous for its sulfur springs, leisure traits leading to the three waterfalls, mountain streams, lush valleys and hiking trails up to Mount Kanla-on which is a perfect place for eco-tourist.
Historical and Cultural Among the major historical and cultural attractions in the province are: The Provncial Capitol Building, built in 1927 using the Neo-Roman architectural design. Once used as headquarters of the Japanese Imperial Army during Workd War II. It is presently the seat of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental. San Diego Pro-Cathedral, Silay CityThis church is one of the most beautiful modern-day churches in the country. It is the only Pro-Cathedral outside of Metro Manila. It was build in 1920 and designed by Italian architect Lucio Bernasconi. The Ruins of Don Mariano Lacson Ancestral House, The Negros Museum and other historical and cultural attractions which worth visiting for in the province.
Tourism Offerings There are several tourism offerings and some of the recommended offerings are the scaling of Mt. Kanlaon, waterfalls trek, Negros Sugar Tours, VMC Tours, Cultural Tours, Hofilena Heritage House.
III - 83
Accessibility By air, Silay City is the entry point to Negros Occidental which is 50 minutes from Manila and 30 minutes from Cebu. There are nine daily flights to and from Manila and 4 daily flights to and from Cebu. Negros is accessible by boat (18 hours from Manila and from Iloilo (45 minutes) by fast ferries through Bacolod City. By land from Cebu, Bacolod is approximately five to seven hours away and five hours to and from Dumaguete. Within the island, the main roads are all concreted with some that are rough in selected areas. Tourist destinations can be reached through public and private transports. There are also habalhabal, tricycle and jeepney that provided rural transportation in going to and from tourist destination.
Negros Occidental is not only known as the sugar bowl of the Philippines but is also noted for its scenic spots, mountains and beach resorts. There are also a variety of arts and antique shops as well as ceramics, shell and handicraft stores which are considered tourist attractions.
Other points of interest in the province include several historical and religious landmarks. These spots are scattered throughout the province, although some is within the citys environment.
Considered as one of the major industry in the province, this industry has a promising potential in terms of generating revenues and employment that will contribute to the local as well as national economy in the country.
4.2.4 Potentials for Local Economic Growth
Bio-Fuel Industry
The bio-fuel industry is thriving in the province. The bio-ethanol plant of San Carlos Bioenergy Inc. in San Carlos City which was inaugurated in 2009, is now operational. Likewise, Roxol Bioenergy Corp., the bio-ethanol arm of listed sugar conglomerate Roxas Holdings Inc. (RHI) has engaged the services of Indian-based firm KBK Chem-Engineering
III - 84
Pvt. Ltd. to build a P1-billion turnkey bio-ethanol plant next to Central Azucarera de la Carlota in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
If all of the sugar mills in Negros Occidental go into power co-generation they could easily produce 150 megawatts of much needed additional power for the province. So far only three of 10 sugar firms in Negros Occidental are going into power co-generation: First Farmers Holding Corporation in Talisay City with its bagasse bio-mass co-generation power plant, and the ethanol plants in San Carlos City and Central Azucarera de La Carlota.
The Provincial Government aggressively supports the move of sugar planters to utilize excess sugar for the production of bio-ethanol and other bio-fuel sources in line with the implementation of the Bio-fuels Act. The realization of this endeavor will greatly
contribute to the local and national economy
4.3 Local Factors
Physical Resources Access to major tourist destinations and attractions in the province has greatly improved during the past years with a good road network in place. The new tourism highway traversing the hinterlands of Negros Island connects San Carlos City to Bacolod City and provides tourists with diverse attractions along the way. The road from Bacolod City to the southern part is also wellpaved allowing tourists to reach the rich diving grounds and other marine attractions found in southern Negros. The completion and operation of the New Bacolod Airport in Silay City will expand tourism and trading activities as well as meet the present and future air traffic needs in the two major hubs of the region. The proposal for a bridge connecting Negros Island, Panay and Cebu will hugely improve accessibility and economy of Negros, Panay and Cebu.
Human Resources With the availability of skilled and trainable human resources, the increasing manpower needs of the different sectors could be adequately addressed.
III - 85
Major Universities and Colleges Educational has always been considered indispensable in bringing about the desired behavioral and attitudinal changes in the population to effect socio-economic development. The far-reaching and enduring effects of education on individual and societal growth and progress call for serious efforts to continuously improve and promote the accessibility of our educational system to the changes n the socio-economic spheres including the demands of development initiatives in the most efficient and effective fashion.
In the province, there are 14 public tertiary education and 26 private education institutions offerings various courses from 2 year course to post graduate courses. These institutions are under the supervision of Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Knowledge Resources Business Process Outsourcing Bacolod City or Negros Occidental considered as the next wave areas outside Metro Manila are encourage and by industry and government leaders to sustain their readiness and competitiveness for the business outsourcing sector. The Commission on Information and Communications
Technology and Business Processing Association of the Philippines emphasized the need for the indicated areas to work hard in the areas of talent development, business environment and government support.
Beside the on-going call centers in Bacolod City, the Provincial Government leaders are announcing the interest of Call Center investor to put up call center facilities and building beside the PNB provincial lot.
At present, there are five major call centers operating in Bacolod City namely: Teleperformance, Teletech, BCG Digital World and Convergys.
III - 86
Capital (financial or investment resources) Support Infrastructure Priority Infrastructure Common Service Facilities (e.g. Laboratories Food, slaughter house) Telecommunication/ISP Technology Development Equipments/Facilities Existing Nature/Status Limited/nonexistent Existing Limited Potential Constraints Technical, financial and physical support Un-optimized use of technology Technical, financial and physical support
Banks, Financial Institutions, Loan Porfolio Data on the operations and total resources of banks in the province show, to some extent, indicators of the status of its economy. The growth in the number of operating banking
institutions gives insights on the pace at which business and trade grow. Statistics on total loans show not only the volume of capital lent to the entrepreneurs, merchants, consumers, agriculture and industrial sectors but also the rate of return of their loan investments. Indeed, the banking sector plays a vital role in the development of productive activities of proprietors or corporate institutions in the area. The presence and accessibility of establishments providing these services to existing and prospective investors contribute to the realization of programs and projects aimed at industrial and entrepreneurial advancement.
In 2007, number of banks in the province totaled 157 with deposits amounting to P44.2 billion which comprises 44.12 percent of the total deposits in the region.
Data below shows the breakdown of financial institutions operating in the province: Financial Institutions Universal and Commercial Banks Thrift Banks Rural & Cooperative Bank Total No. of Banking Offices 100 12 35 Deposits (In Billions) P 40,302 2,707 1,198 P 44.206
III - 87
Road and Bridges The provincial road totaled to 422.74 km with 41 percent concrete, 4 percent asphalt, and 55 percent gravel. The Provincial Government also maintained 69 bridges, disaggregated as follows: concrete 688.72 lm, steel 436.67 lm, bailey 144 lm, and overflow 512 lm.
Privately-owned and public utility vehicles are the means of transportation within the urban center of Bacolod City. In the neighboring towns and cities, tricycle is the means of transportation. In most parts of the province, public utility jeepneys and mini-buses are being used as the main mode of land transport from one municipality to another. Bus lines are likewise available to provide inter-province land transportation in the Island of Negros Occidental.
Proposed New Routes and Transport Facilities The New Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road is one of the major infrastructure projects in the province that should be given priority. The project aims to provide smooth access to the new
Bacolod Airport from Bacolod City and to reduce traffic congestion at Bacolod Coastal Road, north section, to form flexible road network and to guide and support sound urbanization of Bacolod, Talisay and Silay Cities.
Communication As of 2004, there were already 117 cell sites and four paging sites in Negros Occidental. For every 100 population in the province, there are only 1.8 or almost two persons with telephone lines as of 2006.
4.4 Summary
i. Economic Structure
In industry concentration, the top three industries of Negros Occidental that have a large contribution in terms of production value, employment or income were identified as follows: Agriculture, manufacturing and other service industries. While In terms of
industry specialization, other service industries dominated this sector with Negros
III - 88
Occidental ranking third at 41.69 percent with Guimaras on top of the rank followed closely by the Province of Capiz with 42.28 percent. Antique has the bottom figure.
ii. Industries with Best and Declining Potentials

The industries with Best Potentials and declining potentials are the sugar and tourism industry considering that the gains and failures of these industries are dependent on the market forces of the global economy. Sugar is the dominant industry in the province and accounts for 60% of the provincial economy which most of the populace are dependent on considering of its mono-crop status. Tourism as a growing industry shows positive potentials as one of the industries that contribute substantially to the local economy.
4.4.3 Local factors The construction of the Bacolod-Silay International Airport in Silay City coupled with the improvement of the tourism facilities and the development of the ports in the province will definitely enhance the growth potentials of the tourism industry and other major industries that make substantial contribution to the local economy. The emergence of the Business Process
Outsourcing (BPO) Industry in the province has benefitted the Negrenses in terms of generating employment and additional revenue. Also, the conducive business climate and the stable peace and order situation in the province have encouraged investors to come in and put their investments in the province.
III - 89
III - 90
III - 91
5. TRANSPORTATION, ACCESS AND CIRCULATION Transportation is a key element that affects the interactions among population, economic, and other social activities, and other resources of the province. In many cases, strategies involving transportation projects provide important opportunities for enabling and catalyzing development.
This section will describe the access routes and facilities in the province, and indicate how these relate to the location of urban centers and other settlements, the land and water resources of the province, and production activities. Further, the section will also discuss the characteristics of transportation that are usually not fully covered in individual sectoral analyses external linkages and internal circulation as a whole.
5.1 External linkages Negros Occidental can be found at the central part of the Philippine archipelago and is easily accessible through land, air and water routes.
5.1.1 Land, Air and Water Access Routes and Key Transport Infrastructure and Facilities Access through land Negros Occidental can be reached from Negros Oriental, its sister province and the other half of Negros Island, through several routes. From the south, it can be reached though the MabinayKabankalan Road; from the southeast, through the Bayawan-Hinobaan Road; via the central part, through Canlaon City-Salvador Benedicto Road; and through the coastal stretch via Vallehermoso-San Carlos City Road. These roads are vital link between Bacolod City, the
provincial capital and the other cities of the province including Dumaguete City, the provincial capital of Negros Oriental. The development of these inter-island road networks boosts the islands trade and commerce. Populations access to basic services has been augmented and tourism industry is expected to spruce up and will eventually contribute to the economic growth through new investment and tourism opportunities, as well as boosting employment on Negros Island.
III - 92
Access through Water Negros Occidental which is surrounded by coastal waters is accessible by sea. The Provincial Capital, which is Bacolod City, is an 18-hour cruise to and from Manila, 45 minutes to and from Iloilo on fast sea craft, 2 hours from Iloilo City via Dumangas route on RORO facility. The Banago (a private port owned by Negros Navigation Company, Inc.) and BREDCO (Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp.) ports are the vessels entry point. BREDCO Port has daily access to Iloilo, with different shipping lines such as Super Cat, Weesam Express and Ocean Jet. Banago Wharf is access route to Manila, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog and Zamboanga served by shipping line of Negros Navigation. There are 23 operational ports in the province based on PMO-Pulupandan records, 17 are privately-operated and six are being managed by the Philippine Ports Authority. There are nine major ports in the province, namely, Pulupandan Port, in
Pulupandan, Cadiz Port in Cadiz City, San Carlos Port in San Carlos City, Danao Port in Escalante City, Victorias Port in Victorias City, Maricalum Port in Sipalay City and Salvacion Port in Hinoba-an.
Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) The SRNH is a priority project of the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo which makes use of the Roll-on-Roll-off (RORO) services that combine land and inter-modal trunk routes to connect all the major economic centers of the Philippine archipelago through innovative, efficient and affordable means.
Negros Occidental is part of the SRNH route which covers 919 kilometers of land travel and 137 nautical miles of sea travel interconnecting 17 provinces and cities, namely: Oriental Mindoro, Tagaytay/Cavite, Marinduque, Romblon, and Batangas in Luzon; Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Guimaras and Siquijor in the Visayas, and Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and Dapitan City in Mindanao.
The province is connected with other provinces in Panay Island and Cebu City in Region VII through the roll-on roll-off system (RO-RO) of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway. Through Dumaguete City, the province could be linked to Bohol, Cebu, Zamboanga, Dapitan and other parts of Mindanao. The RO-RO terminals in the province are BREDCO Port in Bacolod City, Escalante Port, San Carlos Port and Pulupandan Port.
III - 93
The Department of Public Works and Highways had undertaken improvement works at the major alternate route in the province. Road shoulder, embankment, flood control and drainage along the Negros Translink Eco-Tourism Highway or the Bacolod-Murcia-D.S. Benedicto-San Carlos City were constructed. The construction of this road completes the intermodal component of the transport system between the islands of Panay, Negros and also Cebu. A vital bridge in Cauayan and the Bacolod South Kabankalan Road, classified as part of the north-south backbone of Philippines arterial road network as it traverses from Bacolod City to Kabankalan City on the southern portion of Negros Occidental leading further to Dumaguete City was constructed and widened from four to six lanes.
Access through Air Negros Occidental is served by the Bacolod-Silay airport in Silay City, an airport of international standard which replaced the Bacolod City Domestic Airport, in Bacolod City proper, in 2007. The airport is located 15 kilometers northeast of Bacolod City on a 181-hectare site in Barangay Bagtic, Silay City. The airport, could accommodate international traffic, and is expected to become the primary gateway to Negros Island. It is one of the three airports of international standards envisioned to serve the Western Visayas region, alongside Kalibo International Airport in Aklan and the New Iloilo Airport in Iloilo.
Bacolod-Silay Airport is 45 minutes by air from Ninoy Aquino International Airport and 30 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Commercial Airlines serving in the Province are Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Air Philippines, and Zest Airways.
The total number of passengers accommodated in 2008 was recorded at 840,711, which posted an increase of eight percent from the 2007 figure.
Being built to international standards, the Bacolod-Silay Airport is still designated as a Principal Class 1 domestic airport by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. It has one primary runway 45 meters (150 ft) wide and 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) long. The runway runs in a direction of 03/21, and can currently handle aircraft as large as the Airbus A330. Further, the
construction of a 500-meter (1,600 ft) expansion of the present runway can accommodate even larger aircraft like the Boeing 747 and the Airbus A340. The airport is equipped with an
III - 94
Instrument Landing System, making it capable of handling night and low-visibility landings. The entire airport complex is designed to handle an excess of one million passengers and 16,715 tons of cargo annually and consists of 21 buildings with a total floor space of 108,450 sq ft.
The Bacolod City Domestic Airport has been inactive when the Bacolod-Silay Airport started operations in 2007.
5.1.2 Linkages and/or Facilities that should be given High Priority for Improvement Construction of Airports in San Carlos and Kabankalan Cities The construction of community airports in San Carlos City and Kabankalan City is a vital part of the Transport Infrastructure Development Program of the province. With the construction of these community airports, the two cities are envisioned to encourage more investments and tourism traffic to the southern and northern parts of Negros Occidental.
The San Carlos City community airport was started in 2003 with the construction of the access road and development of the airside and land site facilities. To date, San Carlos City has already allocated a total of Php 70 Million thru its local development fund with an expended amount of Php 55 Million and rate of accomplishment is at 23 percent.
The feasibility study for Kabankalan Airport development project was completed March 2009. Out of the 97 hectares needed for the airport 85 were already acquired by the Local Government 12 is still to be expropriated. The province and the city of Kabankalan has initially allocated Php 75 Million for site acquisition and is still willing to appropriate additional fund for the site development, acquisition of lots for relocation of affected households and other incidental expenses.
With an airport of international standard in place and the construction of two airports in northern and southern Negros Occidental, it is hoped that the vast economic potentials of the province will finally be harnessed to its full potential. The three airports are major parts of the provinces
III - 95
infrastructure. It will support employment generation and facilitate the fast movement of the general public and goods, thereby fostering trade and commerce
5.2 Internal Circulation 5.2.1 Description of Internal Circulation Routes Road and Bridges In Negros Occidental, the provincial and national roads and bridges totaled to 1,776.21 km with 28 percent concrete, 34 percent asphalt, 37 percent gravel and one percent allotted to bridges. Bacolod City, the provinces capital, is accessed from the south through the Bacolod South National Road which passes through 13 cities and municipalities, and from the north through the Bacolod North National Road which traverses about 11 northern municipalities and cities in the province.
Privately-owned and public utility vehicles are the means of transportation within the urban center of Bacolod City. In the neighboring towns and cities, tricycle is the means of transportation. In most parts of the province, public utility jeepneys and mini-buses are being used as the main mode of land transport from one municipality to another. Bus lines are likewise available to provide inter-province land transportation in the Island of Negros Occidental. Trisikad, a smaller version of tricycle but manually driven using a BMX bicycle proliferates in Bacolod City and are fast growing in the urban areas of the LGUs. In San Carlos City and to some extent in Calatrava town, a bigger adaptation of the Trisikad using American bicycle is predominant in these areas as a major mode of transportation. It is locally called Pedicab. Habal-habal is a motorcycle with modified backseat and foot rest to accommodate three or four passenger and/or baggage are plying the upland barangays of LGUs.
III - 96
Roads of importance include the Bacolod-San Carlos City National Road, Bacolod-KabankalanMabinay National Road, Bacolod-Murcia-Salvador Benedicto-San Carlos National Road. These roads are vital links in the transport system between the islands of Panay, Negros and also Cebu.
5.2.2 Proposed New Routes and Transport Facilities The New Bacolod-Silay Airport Access Road is one of the major infrastructure projects in the province that should be given priority. New Bacolod (Silay) Airport Access Road project runs parallel to and about 3-4 kms east to Bacolod Coastal road. The access road will traverse mostly sugarcanes fields in the outskirts of Talisay and Silay Cities. It branches off to the tip of the existing Bacolod Circumferential Road and ends at Silay-Guimbalaon road at about 500-meter west of the new Bacolod-Silay Airport. The project aims to provide smooth access to the new Bacolod Airport from Bacolod City and to reduce traffic congestion at Bacolod Coastal Road, north section, to form flexible road network and to guide and support sound urbanization of Bacolod, Talisay and Silay Cities.
Further, a sugar road is also proposed for construction along the proposed irrigation highway. The proposed sugar road is envisioned to shorten travel time particularly transport of farm products to market.
Negros Occidental has been proposing for a bridge that will connect Negros Island and Panay and also connect Negros Island and Cebu. Data from PPA in 2004 showed that domestic and foreign cargoes passing the Pulupandan seaport alone is more than 4 million metric tons almost similar with Iloilo port. Passenger traffic from the same source showed that 3.2 million passenger uses the Negros port. These trans-link bridges will largely improve the economy, tourism and will provide jobs for the Visayas area thus, stabilizing peace and order in the region.
III - 97
III - 98
6. INCOME, EMPLOYMENT, SERVICE ACCESS AND POVERTY Economic growth or the lack of it directly affects employment and income. This affects
expenditures and the ability to access goods and services. If income is low, access to goods and services may be limited to the point that basic needs are not met, resulting in poverty. Poverty, in turn, affects the quality of production inputs and eventually economic growth itself (Guidelines on PLPEM Vol. 2). Poverty is measured through Means-based, lack of income necessary to consume a basic bundle of goods and services; Outcome-based, shortfall in consumption of a basic bundle of goods and services necessary to do basic functions; or the Perception-based, which is a subjective valuation of the family situation.
This section will attempt to describe the income and employment characteristics of the provincial population, the level and extent of access to basic services, and the extent of poverty in the province.
6.1. Employment/Unemployment 6.1.1. Employment/Unemployment Rate
Negros Occidentals employment rate had a positive increased from 87.1 percent in 2000 to 93 percent in 2003 with an average annual rate of 1.99 percent for the four-year period. The province ranked sixth in terms of employment in Region VI in 2000 but showed a remarkable improvement in the ensuing years, ranking 3 rd in 2003 with the province of Capiz ranked 1st. The provinces employment rate was higher than the region by 1.7 percent in 2003.
6.1.2.
Historical Trends
Unemployment rate in the province was the highest in 2000 at 12.9 percent while regional unemployment rate was at 11.1 percent. The province of Capiz had the lowest rate of unemployment at 5.6 percent in the same year followed by the province of Guimaras with 7.3
III - 99
percent. Nevertheless, unemployment in the province had a down trend from 2000 to 2003 at 12.9 percent to 7 percent, respectively. Negros Occidental ranked 3 rd lowest unemployment rate (7%) compared to other provinces in the region and is lower compared to the regional unemployment rate of 8.7 percent.
Table 18. Employment/Unemployment Rate, 2000-2003 Employment Rate Area 2000 Region VI Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo Negros Occidental Source: NSO (RSET 2007) 88.9 87.7 89.1 94.4 92.7 89.8 87.1 2001 88.7 89.7 86.6 94.2 89.6 86.6 90.0 2002 91.2 90.9 90.9 93.9 88.0 89.3 92.2 2003 91.3 93.6 82.3 94.5 90.8 88.9 93.0 2000 11.1 12.4 10.9 5.6 7.3 10.2 12.9 2001 11.3 10.4 13.4 5.8 10.4 13.4 10.0 2002 8.8 9.1 9.1 6.1 12.0 10.7 7.8 2003 8.7 6.4 17.7 5.5 9.2 11.1 7.0 Unemployment Rate
6.2. Family Income The total family income of the Province of Negros Occidental has increased from P23.8 billion in 1994 to P31.6 billion in 1997 with a slight decrease in 2000. The 2000 total family income of the province was 14 percent share of the total family income of the Philippines and 24 percent of the total family income of Region VI. In the region, the province with highest total family income in 2000 was Iloilo, followed by Negros Occidental, Capiz, Antique, Aklan and Guimaras. The annual average growth rate of Negros Occidental from 1994 to 1997 was 10.7 percent but incurred a negative growth rate from 1997 to 2000 with 0.40 percent. Almost all the provinces in the region as well as the whole country were affected by the Asian economic slowdown in 1997.
III - 100
In terms of average annual family income, Negros Occidental registered an increase of 20 percent in 1997 from its 1994 level with an annual average growth rate of 6.5 percent. However, for the period 1997 to 2000, it registered a lower family income growth rate of 9.2 percent or an average annual growth rate of 3.1 percent. During this period, the Province ranked last in terms of average family income and average annual growth rate, while Iloilo and Guimaras ranked 1 st and second, respectively in the average family income category. The 2000 average family income of the province was P73,923.00 or 51 percent of the average family income of the country. While the annual regional figure was P109, 600 or 67 percent as compared with the province of Negros Occidental.
Table 19. Total & Average Family Income, Region VI, by Province, 1994, 1997, 2000
Total No. of Families Area 1994 Philippines Region VI Aklan Antique Capiz Iloilo Guimaras Negros Occidental
12,754,944
Total Family Income (000) 1994

1,060,709,593
Average Family Income (000) 1994

83,161
1997
14,192,462
2000
15,269,655
1997
1,748,060,769
2000
2,199,431,875
1997
123,168
2000
144,039
1,133,399
1,249,979
1,211,732
72,625,996
108,460,218
132,805,985
64,078
86,770
109,600
81,243
89,135
86,466
5,717,576
7,779,360
8,609,265
70,376
87,276
99,568
91,295
98,329
92,247
3,870,298
8,161,827
8,755,803
42,706
83,005
94,917
125,715
140,999
131,121
5,893,481
12,394,520
13,022,037
46,880
87,905
99,313
289,321
290,481
291,472
17,036,113
24,317,609
32,095,069
58,883
83,715
110,114
24,692
26,091
1,827,289
2,638,452
74,003
101,125
420,918
466,808
422,175
23,824,288
31,586,381
31,208,300
56,601
67,665
73,923
Source: NSCB (RSET 2001 & 2007)
Meanwhile, the Real Per Capita Income in the Province declined drastically in 2000. The Real Per Capita Income in 1994 was P12,256.00, P12,320.00 in 1997 and only P11,723 in 2000. For
III - 101
1994, the province ranked second in this category but ranked sixth in 1997 and 2000. This would mean that the Negrense families could buy less compared to families of four provinces in the region.
Table 20. Real Per Capita Income/Province (1994, 1997, 2000) Real Per Capita Income (in Php) 1994, 1997 & 2000 Province 1994 Aklan Antique Capiz Guimaras Iloilo Negros Occ. 14,239 9,289 9,399 12,070 12,071 12,256 Rank 1 6 5 4 3 2 1997 16,806 16,718 15,206 14,440 15,678 12,320 Rank 1 2 4 5 6 6 2000 13,134 16,304 13,706 16.072 11,723 11,723 Rank 5 2 4 3 1 6
Source: NSCB (CIF 2007)
6.3 Social Services

6.3.1. Health
1. Hospital Bed-Population Ratio The Province of Negros Occidental had a bed to population ratio of 1:1,588 in 2005.
In Region VI, almost all the provinces have an unmet need of bed-population ratio with the present ratio of 1:3,025 populations. The Province of Negros Occidental is in the process of completing the requirements in upgrading the Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital from a second level hospital to a tertiary level hospital by increasing its number of bed capacity from 100 beds to 200 beds. It will also upgrade its facilities and equipment.
III - 102
2. Doctor-Population Ratio There are 30 licensed hospitals in Negros Occidental in 2005, 20 of which are governmentrun hospitals and 10 are privately-owned hospitals. There were no additional licensed hospitals recorded in 2006 and 2007. The province has a total of 19 municipal health offices and 12 city health offices and 528 barangay health centers.
The existing provincial doctor-population ratio is 1: 20,000 the same with the national standard of 1:20,000 populations.
3. Percent of Infants with Low Birth Weight For 2006 and 2007, the Province of Negros Occidental had been consistent in having the most number of low birth weight infants with 5 percent of all live births having a weight of below 2500 grams. These groups, like any other preschoolers, should be given appropriate interventions such as complete newborn care, exclusive breastfeeding, complete immunization, growth monitoring, newborn screening and micronutrient supplementation.
Vitamin A deficiency is still a serious health problem affecting the children in Negros Occidental. The 1998 National Nutrition Survey by FNRI revealed that Vitamin A
deficiency affected 48.2 percent of preschoolers aged 6 months to 5 years which was even higher than the regional and national prevalence of 40.9 percent and 38 percent, respectively. The Vitamin A deficiency prevalence in Negros Occidental, in fact, is the highest in Western Visayas. Vitamin A supplementation coverage among the preschoolers in the province (FHSIS, 2007) was 89.84 percent which is below the national target of 95 percent. The municipalities with very low coverage were Toboso (73%) and Hinigaran (77.6%) while the municipalities with higher coverage than the national target are Victorias City, Silay City, Murcia, La Carlota City, Isabela, Moises Padilla, Ilog and Cauayan. Only 11.14 percent among the high-risk children who are underweight and prone to getting infectious diseases like diarrhea, pneumonia and measles were given high dose of Vitamin A capsules.
The same survey also showed that iron deficiency anemia affects 30.8 percent of the preschoolers which is slightly lower than the regional and national prevalence of 32.1
III - 103
percent and 31.8 percent, respectively. The Provincial Nutrition Council (PNC) with funds from the Provincial Government usually procures only 10 percent of the total requirement for iron supplementation of the preschoolers. There were children given iron syrups but these were not reflected in the FHSIS since there was no reporting system to capture this information.
Another strategy to prevent iron deficiency secondary to heavy worm burden was regular deworming being integrated during the Garantisadong Pambata Program since 2006, yet, only 63.72 percent of the preschoolers were given deworming tablets in 2007 while only 4 percent of pre-schoolers were given the same in 2006. The low coverage in 2006 was attributed to the delayed arrival of deworming drugs and some resistance among the health workers in giving the drugs without stool examination.
Health record shows that out of 149,328 weighed children aging 0-7 years old, 8.54 percent were below normal, 89.71 percent are normal, and 0.86 percent were above normal. The data also shows that the malnutrition rate in Negros occidental has been decreasing for the past three years.
The Province has ensured the accessibility of public health services to the people through the provision of quality health care and gives focus and priority to health services.
Among the provinces in Region VI, Negros Occidental has the least number of underweight children while Antique suffers the highest rate of underweight children.
4. Crude Birth Rate The crude birth rate of the province in 2007 is 18.98 per 1,000 population, which is a ratio of 6:1,000 population. This is lower than the national rate of 25 per 1,000 population. North Central ILHZ has the highest Crude Birth Rate (CBR) at 22.64 per 1,000 population followed by DBESTCA at 20.73 and CASAMA at 18.47 per 1,000 population. There are 6 Inter-Local Health Zone (ILHZ) in Negros Occidental, which are as follows: 1. DBEST CA ILHZ Don Salvador Benedicto, Escalante City, San Carlos City, Toboso and Calatrava
III - 104
2. CASAMA ILHZ Cadiz City, Sagay City, and Manapla 3. North Central ILHZ Victorias City, E.B. Magalona, Silay City, Talisay City and Murcia 4. MIDLAND ILHZ Bago City, Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique, and La Carlota City 5. South Central ILHZ Himamaylan City, Binalbagan, Isabela, Moises Padilla, La Castellana and Hinigaran 6. South Negros ILHZ Candoni, Hinoba-an, Ilog, Cauayan, Kabankalan City and Sipalay City Pontevedra
5. Morbidity: Rates by Leading Causes Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) (993) and Acute Lower Respiratory Infection (ARTI) and Pneumonia (800) topped the ten leading causes of morbidity in Negros Occidental in 2007. This was followed by influenza, (584) diarrhea, (664) bronchitis, (360) hypertension, (317) TB/PTB, (233) urinary tract infection, (189) acute gastroenteritis and parasitism (113) URTI and ARTI registered 22,964 cases and pneumonia registered 18,941 cases.
The causes of morbidity are perceived to be the result of poor environmental sanitation, unsafe drinking water, unhealthy lifestyle or poor health habits. Six of the 10 leading causes are communicable diseases. Only hypertension, parasitism, acute gastroenteritis and urinary tract infection are non-communicable diseases.
The leading causes of infant morbidity (FHSIS, 2007) in Negros Occidental were acute lower respiratory infection and pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, bronchitis, influenza and acute gastroenteritis. All of these are infectious yet preventable diseases.
6. Mortality For several decades, pneumonia has led the top causes of mortality in the Province followed by hypertensive cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the heart and all types of cancer. In 2006, hypertensive vascular diseases have overtaken pneumonia as the leading
III - 105
cause of mortality implying an increasing influence of lifestyle in the health burden of the province. Of the ten leading causes of mortality in 2007, only three cases are infectious in nature, namely, pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and Septicemia, while the rest, cardio-vascular, cancer and kidney diseases are lifestyle-related diseases which are considered to be preventable. This implies a double burden of having to address both infectious and lifestyle-related diseases.
Infant deaths from 2006 to 2007 decreased in North Central and Midland ILHZs while under five deaths decreased in South Central ILHZ only. For 2007, the under five deaths were highest in South Negros ILHZ (2.39) and lowest in Midland ILHZ (1.20). Infant deaths were highest in D-BESTCA ILHZ (6.49) and lowest in Midland ILHZ (2.41).
Pneumonia remains the leading of cause of infant morbidity in the province. Other causes include URTI, diarrhea, influenza and bronchitis.
7. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)

The Province has a Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) of 39 in 2007 which is below the national benchmark of 100 per 100,000 live births. MMR In 2006 was 32, 41 in 2005 and 45 in 2004, which shows that for the last three years there is a minimal decrease in maternal mortality cases.
Hypertension in pregnancy, uterine atony and postpartum hemorrhage are among the leading causes of maternal mortality in the province. Other causes of maternal deaths are complications related to pregnancy occurring in the course of labor, delivery, and postpartum. These include placental retention, and septicemia; all of which could have been prevented with complete prenatal care.
III - 106
III - 107
6.3.2 EDUCATION
Literacy Rate The Province of Negros Occidental posted the third highest literacy rate of 91 percent in Western Visayas in 2004. The highest is Iloilo followed by Aklan, Capiz and Antique.
On the other hand, Western Visayas placed sixth in the whole country in terms of literacy rate with 92.8 percent after National Capital Region with 99 percent, Ilocos Region with 97.4 percent, Central Luzon, Bicol Region and Southern Tagalog.
The functional and simple literacy rates of all cities/municipalities were very high. Almost all of them reached 90 percent. This shows that both pupil and students learn very well in school.
Although the province of Negros Occidental has a good performance in terms of literacy there is still a need to sustain and maintain the educational facilities in the far flung areas of the province.
However, recent data based on key performance indicators reported by the DepEd Central office, 8 of the bottom 40 school divisions in the Philippines are in Western Visayas. These include the divisions of Roxas City in Capiz, and the 7 divisions in Negros occidental (Cadiz, Silay, Bago, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental, Sagay and San Carlos).
The Department of Education should advocate their Alternative Learning System to sustain the high literacy rate
To complement with the measures of education, the province of Negros Occidental implemented the Negros Occidental Scholarship Program (NOSP) which includes Pagkaon Scholarship for children of marginal farmers and fisherfolks; District Education Scholarship for children of all deserving indigent families, Vocational/Technical Scholarship, among others. Full scholarship is provided to grantees of the program.
III - 108
Elementary Cohort Survival Rate For the last five years from SY 2003- 2008, the cohort survival rate of the province was below 80 percent. Correspondingly, 20 percent of the elementary pupils did not graduate in the SY 20072008. Of the six (6) Dept. of Educ. School Divisions in Negros Occidental, Cadiz City division has the highest cohort survival rate. Low cohort survival rate were observed in the Division of San Carlos City (47.41), Division of Kabankalan City (58.75), Division of Negros Occidental (56.02), and La Carlota City (76.31). The most common reasons for low elementary cohort survival rate are poverty which forced children to be absent from school to work to augment the family income, the attitude of parents towards education, and poor health of school children.
In Western Visayas, the cohort survival rate in SY 2007-2008 was only
62.21 percent
compared with that of the provinces accomplishment of 80 percent. Nevertheless, the DepEd should continue to advocate to all parents to give priority to their childrens education and prevent child labor by implementing Food-for-School programs of DSWD as well as regular physical check-up of school children.
Secondary Cohort Survival Rate In SY 2007-2008, the total cohort survival rate of the province for secondary education was only 77 percent. It shows that 23 percent of the students have not graduated in SY 2007-2008. The common reason of low cohort survival rate in the secondary education is because of economic situation of the household that these children are required to earn a living to augment the family income.
The regional data on cohort survival rate for SY 2006-2007 was only 60.61 percent compared with the provinces 77 percent. DepEd has increased the number of its integrated schools to accommodate free secondary education especially the poor.
Classroom-Student ratio on elementary In the effort of the government to provide more adequate educational facilities and services, the classroom-pupil ratio in the elementary government schools has improved from 1:34 in SY 20042005 to 1:32 in SY 2008-2009. This means that one (1) classroom accommodates 32 pupils,
III - 109
which is still within the national standard ratio of 1:40. This means that there are still enough classrooms for elementary students in Negros Occidental.
In Region VI, classroom-pupil ratio is 1:30 in school year 2008-2009.
Classroom-Student ratio in Secondary The classroom-student ratio in government secondary schools has not been improving significantly from SY 2004-2005 (1:50) to SY 2008-2009 (1:49). It is even higher than national standard ratio of 1:45. Although the difference of 4-5 students per room is not very physically significant, there is still a need to construct more classrooms for secondary level. This is so if there will be higher cohort survival in the elementary in the future.
In Region VI classroom-pupil ratio is 1:46 in SY 2008-2009. This means that the situation in Negros Occidental may be true to all provinces in the Region.
Completion Rate Elementary The data shows that the division of Cadiz City in school year 2008-2009 has the lowest completion rate at 42 percent compared with other divisions in the province, followed by San Carlos city with 45.26 percent; Negros Occidental division with 53.80 percent; Kabankalan with 56.76 percent; Bago with 66.80 percent; and La Carlota with 75.49 percent.
In Western Visayas completion rate in SY 2007-2008 is 62.51 percent of which Iloilo province got the highest completion rate, followed by Antique, third Aklan, fourth Capiz and fifth Negros Occidental.
Completion Rate Secondary Division of Bago City has the lowest completion rate of 49.50 percent, followed by Cadiz City with 51.90 percent, San Carlos City with 57.46 percent, La Carlota with 66.15 percent and Kabankalan with 68.20 percent. In Western Visayas, Aklan has the highest completion rate in SY 2007-2008, followed by Negros Occidental, in third Antique, in fourth Iloilo and in fifth, Capiz.
III - 110
Drop-out Rate for Elementary Regional data shows that from 2007 to 2009, Negros Occidental has the highest drop-out rate at 3.06 percent, second is Antique, third Iloilo and 4th Capiz.
In Negros Occidental, San Carlos City School Division has the highest drop-out rate of 5.66 percent for SY 2008-2009 followed by the Division of Negros Occidental with 3.09 percent, while division of Cadiz City ranked third. Unfortunately, some of the divisions have no data submitted.
Data also shows that drop-out rate for the Division of San Carlos City is consistently high for the four consecutive school years covering 2005-2006, 2006-2007 and 2008-2009. Compared with other school divisions, these figures represented pupils who dropped-out from school because most of them were working in the sugarcane field during milling season. Drop-out Rate Secondary Data for Region VI shows that Negros Occidental is among the highest drop-out rate of 7.21 percent in school year 2007-2008. This is followed by Capiz at 6.75 percent, Iloilo at 6.41 percent, Antique at 4.73 percent and Aklan at 4.39 percent.
In Negros Occidental, for school year 2008-2009 Cadiz City ranked no. 1 in terms of drop-out rate in secondary level at 9.13 percent followed by the division of Bago City (6.81%), La Carlota (6.73%), Kabankalan (6.55%) and San Carlos City (6.23%) while some divisions were not able to submit their data.
Number of Teachers The teacher-pupil ratio in the public elementary schools decreased from 1:35 in SY 2004-2005 to 1:34 in SY 2008-2009. Based on the national standard of teacher-pupil ratio which is 1:34 to 1:20, the province is within the expected ratio. Furthermore, the secondary school teacher-student ratio has decreased from 1:41 in SY 2004-2005 to 1:35 SY 2008-2009 which is lower than the national standard ratio of 1:40 to 1:45.
III - 111
Enrolment in Elementary Enrolment in the elementary schools has reached 371,580 in SY 2008-2009, with 98 percent enrolled in government school, 369,949 in 2007-2008 and 370,624 in 2006-2007. Variances in elementary school enrolment for the last three school years are not significant. Negros Occidental has the highest enrollment in the Region compared to Aklan which has an enrollment of 76,323; Antique has 78,344; Capiz has 88,523 and Iloilos elementary enrolment was 223,061 in school year 2008-2009.
Enrolment in Secondary Schools The number of students enrolled in secondary schools in SY 2008-2009 reached 162,165, 85 percent of which were enrolled in government schools. In 2007-2008 enrolment reached 163,732 and 162,310 in 2006-2007. Again, there is no significant difference in the secondary enrolment for the past three school years.
Negros Occidental is the second highest enrollment in secondary schools in the Region compared to Aklan which has an enrollment of 33,666; Capiz at 46,514 and Antique at 35,789. Highest secondary enrolment is Iloilo at 223,068 in school year 2008-2009. Comparative figures for elementary and secondary enrolment show that only about 44 percent of elementary graduates enroll in the secondary level. However, in Iloilo, almost 100 percent of elementary graduates would attend secondary schools.
Number of Teachers The teacher-pupil ratio in the public elementary schools decreased from 1:35 in SY 2004-2005 to 1:34 in SY 2008-2009. Based on the national standard of teacher-pupil ratio which is 1:34 to 1:20, the province is within the expected ratio. Furthermore, the secondary school teacher-student ratio has decreased from 1:41 in SY 2004-2005 to 1:35 SY 2008-2009 which is lower than the national standard ratio of 1:40 to 1:45.
III - 112
III - 113
6.3.3
Housing
Housing is a special concern, particularly for physical planning because it occupies the largest portion of the built-up land. Many of these informal settlers also occupy disaster-prone areas such as flood-prone area.
In the Province of Negros Occidental, unplanned and informal settlements have flourished especially in the cities of Bacolod and other component cities. A lot of people from the interior towns and migrants from other provinces flock to these cities or municipalities in search for greener pastures resulting to the urban blight, breakdown in basic services and deterioration of urban environment, especially in the housing areas. Many of these informal settlements are located in disaster-prone areas such as creeks, riverbanks and foreshores.
In general, providing housing is not a problem of supply but a problem of affordability, by which the cost of land and housing is no longer within the reach of the informal settlers.
However, there are many factors and ways that could alleviate their current situation such as direct and indirect subsidies in the cost of land and land development, construction and financing. Government subsidies also have some assistance in various forms, the purpose of which is to provide security of land tenure to the informal settlers in ways that entail the least dislocation. Example of these are projects such as Slum Upgrading Program, Gawad Kalinga, Relocation sites to dislocated settlers and many others.
Number of Households The number of households in Western Visayas, increased to 1.21 million, or by 107 thousands from 1995 figure of 1.10 million. The average household size decreased slightly to 5.12 from the 1995 figure of 5.22 persons.
The number of households in Negros Occidental increased to 503,663 or by 38,234 from 1995 figure computed at 465,429. The average household size slightly increased to 5.32 from 1995 figure of 5.2. This means that for every 100 households, the number of members increased by 12 persons.
III - 114
Occupied Housing Unit Of the 493,996 occupied housing units, 95.68 percent are single detached, 1.56 percent are duplex, 0.70 percent are multi-unit residential, 0.18 are commercial/industrial/agricultural, and 0.03 are institutional living quarters.
6.3.4. Security The total crime volume in 2008 is lower at for the period registered at seven hundred thirty incidents compared with 2007 at 439. Of these incidents, 439 were index crimes and 291 were non index crimes. Compared to last year 2007, crime volume reached a total of seven hundred ninety one (791) incidents; four hundred fifty eight (458) were index crimes while three hundred thirty three (333) were non index crimes.
Comparatively, crime volume decrease by sixty one (61) incidents or 7.71 percent. The 2007 figure shows that these were index crime and non index crimes. In 2008 index crimes decreased by nineteen (19) incidents or 4.14 percent, while non index crimes decreased by forty two (42) incidents or 12.6 percent.
III - 115
III - 116
The average monthly crime rate (AMCR) for 2008 registered at 2.80 person per 100,000 population which is notably lower by 0.24 compared to last year 2007 with 3.04. The adoption of the community-Oriented Policy System and the DILGs community safety program Barangay at Pulisya Laban sa Krimen are distinct efforts towards the collaboration between the LGUs and the police force in keeping the community secured. Both programs are anchored on the importance of the barangay tanods and members of anti-crime CVOs as force multipliers that are primodial to the effectiveness of the governments peace and order efforts. More significantly, the presence of policemen in the barangay to act as barangay tanod
supervisors is an initiative aimed at reinvigorating and empowering the barangay tanods into a competent auxillary public safety force.
The downtrend in crime incidents could be attributed to the strict enforcement of checkpoints and police visibility as part of crime prevention measures. The province of Negros Occidental is relatively peaceful compared to other provinces in the country as there were no incidents of kidnapping, bank robbery or violent acts of terrorism committed.
The actual police to population ratio is 1:1586 in 2008 lower compared to the national standard of 1: 1,000.
Number of firemen and fire trucks/ City/Municipality The province of Negros Occidental has a total of 253 firemen. The ideal firemen population ratio is 1:2000 and with the present scenario, the province still need 107 firemen to serve the entire population.
Of the 31 cities/municipalities only Salvador Benedicto has no fire truck to serve the population in case of fire. Under RA 6975 which provides that, the Bureau of Fire Protection shall establish at least one fire station with adequate personnel equipment in every city/municipality.
Fire prevention programs and other disaster preparedness programs shall be implemented and information drive be conducted.
III - 117
6.4
Utility/Infrastructure Services
6.4.1 Water and Sanitation
Out of 32 cities/municipalities in the province, 17 are served by water districts, the rest are LGU managed local water facilities. The different water districts and waterworks make 68, 675 service connections in the Province, including Bacolod City. Sipalay City Water District charges the highest cost for water among the water districts at P279 per 10 m3 followed by Binalbagan at P215 and Silay City at P200. On the other hand, La Castellana Water District charges the least at PhP70 per m3 followed by La Carlota at P110 per m3.
Households with access to safe water supply reached 444,290 comprising 95 percent of the total actual households of 467,305 as per report of the Provincial Health Office in 2008. Households with access to level I water supply has reached to 47.78 percent, down from 50.04 percent in 2007. The decrease could be attributed to the number of households with access to; level II water supply and level III water supply. Access to Level II increased from 21.79 percent in 2007 to 22.50 percent in 2008. Level III water supply increased by 24.79 percent of households, slightly up from 24.01 percent in 2007.
Households who have sanitary toilets and satisfactory garbage disposal reached 84 percent while 79 percent comprise of households with basic sanitary facility.
III - 118
III - 119
6.4.2 Power The power requirement in Negros Occidental is supplied mainly by the Palinpinon Geothermal Power Plant in Negros Oriental. The power is being transmitted by the National Power
Corporation to 32 cities and municipalities through the three electric cooperatives: VRESCO, NOCECO and CENECO. The total number of households with electric connections reached
354,519, including that of Bacolod City. The three electric cooperatives distributed a total of 771,491 mw of electricity in 2008, registering an increase of three percent (3%) from the 2007 distribution of 744,999 mw. Service connections in 2008 by type of consumer reached 329,492 which is five percent (5%) higher from the 2007 connections of 312,978. Fifty percent (50%) is used by residential connections, 21 percent by industrial connections, and the rest is used for street lights, irrigation and other connections.
Other power sources include the Northern Negros Geothermal Plant supplying the areas of Bago City and Murcia in Negros Occidental has already been opened by the Energy Development Corporation. Presently, EDC is expanding its wells within the buffer zone of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park to generate more geothermal power and is expected to be fully operational in 2011.
Rural electrification projects are being implemented province wide through the initiatives of the Electric Cooperatives, National Electrification Administration and Local Government Units.
Off-Grid Power Generation.
The Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, through the Asian
Development Bank, has initiated the Renewable Energy and Livelihood Development Project for the Poor, or RENEW Project that began in 2004 and that was completed and made operational in July 31, 2008 to reduce poverty in off grid areas of Negros Occidental. The executing agency for the project is the Department of Energy while the implementing agency is WinRock International. The project that will tap renewable energy to provide sustainable livelihood systems for the poor operates in 11 communities in Negros Occidental and benefits 1,200 families. Hybrid renewable energy systems that use biomass and solar power for fish drying have been established in Sipaway Island, San Carlos City and Molocaboc Island in Sagay City.
Three micro-hydro systems at 34 kilowatts each are also being established in Sitio Balea, Barangay Laga-an, Calatrava; Sitio Vergara and Magtuod in Brgy. Bug-ang, Toboso and Brgy.
III - 120
Baclao, Cauayan, to boost agri-based livelihoods. Communities can also avail of loans for installation of household connections and other relevant projects. Alternative Fuels/Bio-fuel. San Carlos Bio-Energy Inc. in San Carlos City has been inaugurated by PGMA in 2009 and its bioethanol plant is now operational. Likewise, Roxol Bioenergy Corp., the bioethanol arm of listed sugar conglomerate Roxas Holdings Inc. (RHI) has engaged the services of Indian-based firm KBK Chem-Engineering Pvt. Ltd. to build a P1-billion turnkey bioethanol plant next to Central Azucarera de la Carlota in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
If all of the sugar mills in Negros Occidental went into power co-generation they could easily produce 150 megawatts of much needed additional power for the province. So far only three of 10 sugar firms in Negros Occidental are going into power co-generation: First Farmers Holding Corporation in Talisay City with its bagasse bio-mass co-generation power plant, and the ethanol plants in San Carlos City and Central Azucarera de La Carlota.
The Provincial Government aggressively supports the move of sugar planters to utilize excess sugar for the production of bio-ethanol and other bio-fuel sources in line with the implementation of the Bio-fuels Act.
6.4.3 Drainage/Flood Control Negros Occidental has seven major rivers namely: Himogaan River in Fabrica, Sagay City, Sicaba River in Cadiz City, Malogo River in Victorias City, Bago River in Bago City, Binalbagan River in Binalbagan, Ilog-Hilabangan River in Ilog and Sipalay River in Sipalay City. Of these seven major rivers, Ilog-Hilabangan is considered to be the most flood-prone and highly destructive. It has an influence area of 2044 km2 and a discharge of 4499 m3.
The province aims to construct an irrigation highway tapping all seven major rivers whose total discharge is estimated at 9,989 million cubic meter. The irrigation highway will serve as catch basin for most water run-off and other excess water controlling flash floods, thus, preventing further soil erosion and pollution in the coastal areas. This project may also be a source for hydro-power, industrial and domestic water needs.
III - 121
III - 122
6.4.4 Solid Waste Management To ensure the protection of public health and environment, the province institutionalized an active Provincial Solid Waste Management Board with functions to plan and implement programs of the province on solid waste management. A 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan in accordance with Republic Act 9003, known as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, will be formulated. The plan shall contain all the components provided in Section 17 of this act.
Out of 31 component cities and municipalities, 22 of which, has already prepared their 10-year Solid Waste Management Plan. The Provincial Government is looking into the establishment of an engineered type of sanitary landfill in selected areas/LGUs. Putting up this type of sanitary landfill requires substantial resources, thus, the Province is planning to adopt the cluster-scheme approach. The City of San Carlos, having its sanitary landfill fully operated, is willing to cater LGUs in the 1st Congressional District while the cities of Sagay and Kabankalan with their sanitary landfill facilities having launched recently, are expected to cater LGUs in the 2 nd and 6th districts, respectively. Other LGUs are still on open dumpsite facility.
On the other hand, almost all component cities and municipalities in the Province have already formulated their Safe and Closure Rehabilitation Plan (SCRP) except for Calatrava, San Enrique, Isabela and Candoni.
In general, the Plan outlines a new framework of solid waste management in the Province and this will basically address future waste management needs. It will reduce the volume of the solid wastes flow through the implementation of waste reduction and recycling program. The Plan will now serve as the basis for the Provinces solid waste management for the next several years.
Proposed Solid Waste Facility of Bacolod City. The City of Bacolod intends to construct and operate a sanitary land fill at a 7-hectare site in Purok Acacia, Barangay Felisa which is approximately 9 kms from the center of the city. The sanitary landfill is part of the Citys integrated Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) Project. On March 3, 2010, the
Sangguniang Panlungsod of the city approved a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the contract between the City and the contractor for the design and build a sanitary landfill. The
III - 123
contract price is Php 32,899,636.99 and target completion is 180 calendar days from receipt of notice to proceed.
6.5 Other Services and Facilities

The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has been promoting the well being of women and children, youth, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and victims of disasters. As of 2007, the disaster victims reached a total of 22,533 families or 112,665 persons who were given relief assistance and rehabilitation services. One of the facilities provided is the core shelter unit and a total of 732 units were constructed since 2000.
As of 2008, there are 1,602 Day care Centers serving a total of 63,420 pre-school children. From 2007, there is an increase of 41 DCCs in 2008; the number of pre-school enrollees increased by 3 percent from 61,305 to 63,420. Out of 31 LGUs, 25 have Senior Citizens Centers serving 53,100 registered senior citizen members as of 2007. There is a decrease of 32 percent in the number of registered members from 2006 to 2007.
Based on the survey conducted in 2007, there are 3,102 households of Indigenous People (IP) in the province. Classified according to tribes, are ata negrito in Isabela, Bukidnon in Salvador Benedicto, and Magahat in Hinobaan To help uplift the indigenous peoples social and economic condition the province through NCIP provided livelihood projects and other programs and services.
III - 124
III - 125
6.6 Poverty
Traditionally, poverty is defined as the minimum amount of income below which a person cannot attain a predetermined bundle of goods and services, as deemed necessary for the fulfillment of certain basic consumption needs or minimum basic needs
The new concept of poverty today is redefined as not simply the lack of material resources, but also the absence of capabilities, opportunities, and power that will allow an individual to fully assume his/her role as a member of the community.
The annual per capita poverty threshold in 2006, or the amount required to be spent to satisfy the nutritional requirements and other basic needs of an individual is P13,975.
The province ranked number 5 in terms of poverty incidence among families in Region VI. Poverty incidence of families notably decreased by 10.2 percentage points from 41.6 in 2000 to 31.4 in 2003. Poverty incidence of population also increased by 2.5 from 39.5 in 2004 to 42.0 in 2006.
Western Visayas is one among the only four regions that had successfully reduced its poverty incidence in 2006. However, it also continued to have the highest number of poor families. It accounted for 9.1 percent of the total number of poor families in the country, 0.8 percentage point lower than the regions share in 2003.
Based on the National Statistic Coordination Board (NSCB) poverty Mapping/ Municipal Level Small Estimates for 2001 reveals that three municipalities were on the alarming situation namely; Moises Padilla,Manapla, and San Enrique, Himamaylan City is in worse situation 19 cities/muns in better situation and Isabela in best situation other has no data.
III - 126
Figure 12. Poverty Incidence Map of Negros Occidental
III - 127
Table 20. Local Service Standards SERVICES SOCIAL SERVICES Education and Culture Elementary Education Classroom Teacher Library Teacher-librarian Full and part-time teacher-librarian Full-time librarian & part-time teacherlibrarian Full-time librarian Secondary Education Classroom Teacher Library Librarian/Teacher-Librarian Full-time librarian Sports and Recreation Municipality Park 1 park with a minimum of 5,000 sqm area per 1,000 population and maximum walking distance of 100-150 meters Public playfield/athletic field with a minimum of 0.50 hectares per 1,000 inhabitants 1 sports facility per barangay Presence of natural, undisturbed and scenic areas suitable for recreation, with scientific and ecological significance consisting of forest, water resources and other land forms 1 per 40-45 students 1 per 40-45 students Separate building or room, well lighted, ventilated, free from noise, accessible, and centrally located 1 per enrolment of 500 or less students Additional 1,000 students 1 per 40 pupils 1 per 40 pupils Separate building or room, well, lighted, ventilated, free from noise, accessible and centrally located 1 per 500or less pupils 1 each per 5001-1,000 pupils 1 per 1,000-2,000 pupils 1 for every additional 1,000 pupils STANDARD
Sports and Athletics
Natural Environment Area
III - 128
Table 20. Local Service Standards (continuation) SERVICES Health 1 Government Physician per 20,000 population 1 Public Nurse per 20,000 population 1 Rural Health Midwife per 50,000 population 1 Government Dentist per 50,000 population Medical and allied personnel 1 Rural Sanitary Inspector per 20,000 population 1 Barangay Health Worker per 20,000 HH 1 Barangay Nutrition Scholar per barangay 1 Health Educator per 50,000 population Primary Hospital Secondary Hospital (Prov./District) Medical Transport Ambulance Service Vehicle Protective Services 1 Policeman per 1,000 population (Urban) Police Force 1 Policeman per 1,000 population (Rural) 1 Fireman per 2,000 population Fire Protection Service 14 Firemen per fire truck 1 Fire Truck per 28,000 population Jail Services Welfare Services Womens desk Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs Day Care Center/Feeding Center Rehabilitation Center (for victims of drug abuse, vagrants, victims of disasters, calamities, child abuse, etc.) Adult Community Program 1 Jail per LGU 1 per LGU 1 per LGU 10 bed capacity 25- 50 bed capacity STANDARD
1 per LGU
III - 129
Table 20. Local Service Standards (continuation) SERVICES Environmental Protection Solid Waste Management Pollution Control Public Buildings and Facilities Municipal Hall/Provl. Capitol Socio-Cultural Center Museum Barangay, Municipal and City Halls 100% collection and disposal Absence of air, water and industrial pollutants 100% free from toxic and hazardous substances STANDARD
Presence
ECONOMIC SERVICES Infrastructure Services and Existing Road Network Provincial Road Provincial Road connecting all component municipalities and cities (except island municipality) Municipal Road connecting major clusters of population to the town proper Connecting all barangays to municipal or provincial road
Municipal Road Feeder Road (Barangay road, rural road, or farm-to-market road) Water Supply (Municipality)
Level I
Point source (such as rain collector, wells and springs generally for rural areas where houses are scattered too thinly to justify a distribution system) Communal faucet system generally for rural areas where houses are clustered densely enough to justify a piped distribution system to a number of households. Piped system with individual connection in urban areas, with average output of 150 liters per person per day. Existence of functional sewer system. Absence of stagnant water formation
Level II
Sewerage Services (Municipality)
III - 130
Table 20. Local Service Standards (continuation) SERVICES STANDARD Accessible from all directions and through all modes of transportation; site located in urban area; Standard Sections and Facilities: Wet Section Semi-wet section Dry goods section Storage facilities Eateries Parking space Running water Proper lighting Proper ventilation Drainage Treatment plant or settling pond
Market and Slaughterhouse
III - 131
7. LAND USE AND PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK
This section describes the existing land uses in the province and identifies an integrating physical framework for future development.
7.1 Existing land use, trends and potential expansion
7.1.1.
Existing land use
The 792,607-hectare land of Negros Occidental is mainly utilized for: production, protection and built-up or settlement use, with most or 84 percent of the land utilized for production. Production lands are categorized into crop lands (rice, corn, mango, banana, other food crops, sugarcane, coconut, coffee, and other industrial crops and grasses/shrubs); fishponds; industrial development areas; tourism; and production forest.
More than 13 percent of the land in the province are protection land where Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park, North Negros Natural Park, Bago River Watershed and Ilog-Holabangan River Watershed are located. Most of these areas have more than 30 percent slope. Mangrove areas are also included in the protection use zone.
More than 2 percent or 17,257 hectares remaining land are used for built-up or settlement use. These areas are usually found along the coastline. Bacolod City, the capital city, occupies the bigger bulk of built-up and settlement areas. Population density is also higher in this major urban center being the center for trade and commerce in the province. Notably, there are settlements or built-up areas found within forestland, occupying 4,095 hectares.
III - 132
Negros Occidental Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan, 2008 -2013 Chapter III : The Planning Environment Table. 21. Area Distribution of Existing Land Uses, CY 2003 (Ha) LAND USE TYPE I. Production Land Use 1. Crop Lands 1.1 Rice 1.1.1 Paddy Irrigated 1.1.2 Paddy Non-Irrigated 1.1.3 Upland 1.2 Corn 1.3 Mango 1.4 Banana 1.5 Other Food Crops 1.6 Industrial Crops 1.6.1 Sugarcane 1.6.2 Coconut 1.6.3 Coffee 1.6.4 Other Industrial Crops 1.7 Grasses/Shrubs 2. Fishponds 2.1 Within A&D 2.2 Within Forestland 3. Industrial Development Areas 4. Tourism 5. Production Forests 5.1 Rangeland for Grazing 5.2 Industrial Tree Plantation 5.3 Community Based Forest Management 5.4 Integrated Social Forestry 5.5 Regular Reforestation and Other Development Projects 5.6 Other Land Uses 5.6.1 Ancestral Domain Claims 5.6.2 Civil Reservations 5.6.3 Military Reservations 5.6.4 Naval Reservations 5.6.5 Communal Forest 5.6.6 Open Access II. Protection Land Use 1. NIPAS Areas 1.1 Natural Park 1.2 Forest Reserve & Other Forest Land for Forest Purposes 1.3 Watershed Forest Reserve 2. Non-NIPAS Areas 2.1 Mangroves III. Built-Up Areas 1. Within A&D 2. Within Forestland
Area 668,771.24 519,001.25 62,503.00 38,969.00 16,620.00 6,914.00 30,638.00 4,368.00 9,300.00 830.00 128,410.00 90,320.00 35,830.00 1,967.00 293.00 282,952.25 11,318.00 5,856.00 5,462.00 405.00 200.00 137,786.99 0.00 10,465.38 19,654.95 23,321.09 5,486.20 78,859.37 3,889.53 2,119.00 0.00 0.00 1,093.00 71,757.84 106,638.43 104,877.06 22,600.00 71,445.00 10,832.06 1,761.37 1,761.37 17,257.33 13,162.00 4,095.33
Source: DA ,DENR/RPFP
III - 133
III - 134
7.1.2. Trends Several factors have cause changes in the physical landscape and land use of the province. These contributing factors include the increasing population growth rate and density, especially in urban areas. Population density has increased from 323/km2 in 2000 to 363/km2 in 2007. This means that there are 40 more people in a given area in 2007 than seven years ago. Population growth rate of the province have been increasing and almost half a million people were added in the last twelve years. The increasing population has put tremendous pressure to the limited physical resources of the province and has encouraged encroachment in environmentally-critical and protection areas.
The rapid conversion of prime agricultural lands to other uses is another factor that causes the change in land use. Some landowners convert their agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses because of financial and operational issues, particularly in those areas covered by the Agrarian Reform Program. Most of these prime agricultural lands are being converted to residential and commercial subdivisions.
The establishment of major infrastructure projects like sea ports and airports has spurred development in many areas of the province. To accommodate these developments, many LGUs updated their comprehensive land use plans, reclassifying agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses. Increased access has also encouraged many cities and municipalities to update their CLUPs to accommodate requests for lands for non-agricultural uses such as housing, commercial and industrial uses. As of 2010, eight LGUs have already updated their CLUPs and the rest are in the process of completing the updating of their land use plans and their comprehensive development plans. Updating of CLUPs will pave the way for the reclassification and eventual conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses.
Below are the land use changes observed in the province since 1990:
III - 135
Table 22. Land Use Changes, 1990-2007, Province of Negros Occidental (to be filled-up) 1990 Agricultural Use Non-Agricultural Use Other Land Uses Total 2007 % Changes (1990-2007)
7.2 Physical framework In this section, a framework to guide future physical developments and the location of PPAs in the province is derived. The framework is composed of several proposed general components (settlements, production, protection, transport/other infrastructure) that relate vertically to similar regional (RPFP) and local (CLUP) plans.
The framework is the product of integrating and reconciling the previous components of the plan environment. By definition, it sets the physical parameters by which future growth and
development, including identified PPAs, can take place.
7.2.1.
Initial Settlement Growth
Considering the existing land uses as against the existing settlement hierarchy and expansion trends will help us assess the future land and space requirements of the province. There is a need to delineate approximate future settlement and built-up areas based on the demand for land i.e. how existing settlements are expected to grow and expand geographically.
Map 25 shows primarily the built-up expansion areas that are foreseen by the province based on the analysis of the various factors discussed in 7.1.2 (Trends). Apparently, Bacolod City will continue to expand its built-up areas in the north and south periphery including the northern boundary of Bago City.
III - 136
From Talisay City to Victorias City, new built-up areas will be developed along the main artery as areas surrounding the New Bacolod Airport in Silay City are also developed. These
developments of built-up areas will be the trend along the main highway of the province both from south to north. Except for the 3rd district, alliances among LGUs have already been formed to initially to address management of common natural resources such as, coastal resources. However, these LGU alliances will expand to address emerging issues on urbanization, housing, solid waste management, and other social and economic concerns.
The establishment of an Export Processing Zone for Negros agribusiness in Sagay City coupled with a new sea port for roll-on roll-off vessels and a community airport in San Carlos City will promote economic activities from Victorias City to San Carlos City, which is expected to cause a surge in the opening of new areas for built-up and settlement zones. The possibility of a nautical bridge connecting Negros Island to Panay Island through E.B. Magalona town has stirred interest among land owners in the area. Demand for reclassification and conversion of lands along the main highway is inevitable.
The construction of a community airport in Kabankalan City and the development of Sipalay City and Hinoba-an as tourism areas will boost the economy of the 6th district. With the continuous improvement of the road network in the district, there will be influx of both local and foreign tourists in the southern part of Negros Occidental including investors. Thus, new growth areas in Kabankalan City and Sipalay City would likely emerge.
As computed, estimated amount of new settlement land requirement to accommodate additional population between 2000 to 2010 is 136 hectares.
III - 137
III - 138
7.2.2.
Initial Settlements and Protection Land Use
The objective of this section is to check if the likely areas of growth and expansion as identified in Map 25 are in conflict or not with the supply of land as defined by identified protection areas. If there are conflicts then these should be eliminated or minimized by modifying the results in initial settlement growth framework accordingly - by trying to avoid expansion into the protected areas and/or minimizing the impact of expansion into protected areas.
In Negros Occidental, existing and potential land use conflicts are derived as a result of map analysis, observations and extracted from CLUP of cities and municipalities:
1. All 25 coastal LGUs are prone to coastal flooding, storm surge and coastal erosion. 2. Some of the built-up areas of the following LGUs are flood prone to wit: Kabankalan City, Himamaylan City, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, San Enrique, Silay City, Talisay City, Manapla, Cadiz City, Victorias City 3. Sipalay City, Kabankalan City, Bago City, Murcia, San Carlos City, D.S. Benedicto are LGUs where some of its built-up zones are inside protected watershed areas 4. There are four potential LGUs namely: Isabela, Kabankalan City, Bago City, Murcia wherein some of their existing and expansion built-up zones are located in protected forest areas 5. La Castellana and Moises Padilla have built-up areas which are affected by potential volcanic eruption 6. One major fault line traverses the major growth center of Kabankalan City 7. Sagay City and the municipality of Manapla are found along major rivers thus, relatively prone to flooding.
III - 139
Given these land use conflicts, policies are identified that would mitigate or prevent future land use conflicts. These may include the following:
1. Mainstreaming of disaster risk management in development and land use planning and in the development investment plan portfolio. 2. Strict implementation of buffer zones establishment along river easement and coastlines by LGUs and DENR through co-management scheme. 3. Allowable activities that have minimal impact on environmental quality of protected areas will be identified and enforced through forest land use plan, coastal zoning or water use plan among others. 4. Increase public awareness on values of protection areas and disaster preparedness. 8. Increase public participation in conservation and disaster mitigation efforts in their communities.
III - 140
III - 141
7.2.3. Overall Physical Framework The overall physical framework incorporates the land use and other physical requirements of other sectors with the results of step B to derive an overall physical framework plan.
Settlements Framework Metro Bacolod Bacolod City is the highly urbanized capital, communication, trade and service center of the Province of Negros Occidental, one of the twin provinces of Negros Island in the cluster of the Visayan Islands in the heart of the Philippine Archipelago. Bacolod is bounded in the northwest by the cities of Talisay; in the northeast by Silay and Victorias; in the east and southwest by the town of Murcia; in the southwest by the City of Bago; and in the west by the Guimaras Strait.
Bacolod has an upbeat local economy and unlimited opportunities for trade and investments because the city is home to a high percentage of the Philippines top 20 corporations. It is acclaimed as the Most Business Friendly City in the Philippines in 2007 by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The city has an effective maintenance of clean and green surroundings as evidenced by a HALL OF FAME AWARD as the Cleanest and Greenest Highly Urbanized City in the Philippines. It has a low percentage of illegal settlers and a systematic traffic planning that offers the luxury of driving through the wide roads in a highly urbanized center.
Bacolod City is now considered as the Information Technology and Business Process Outsourcing hub of Western Visayas with the presence of 8 major call centers. It has a stable peace and order condition where incidence of crime is low and there is high police visibility and a crime solution of 97 percent.
The concept of Greater Bacolod Area was never materialized in the last 15 years when it was conceptualized. Apparently, Bacolod City seem to develop by itself as evidenced by the various expansion of built-up and commercial zones within the city.
III - 142
Metro Third A newer concept being floated among planners is the METRO THIRD Alliance. The idea is to bring in all LGUs within the 3rd district to form an alliance for natural resource management, economic development and waste management. Bacolod City is invited to join the alliance. This model is becoming more of a reality because of the new airport located in the 3 rd district of the province. Secondly, the practicality of coming up with a common solid waste disposal facility and system. Finally, the remaining LGUs that do not have an alliance for coastal resource are Talisay City, Silay City, E.B. Magalona and Bacolod City.
Other Urban Centers Kabankalan City As the growth center in the south and gateway to Negros Oriental, Kabankalan City has growth by leaps and bounds. The presence of urban supermarkets (Gaisano Malls, Lopues Value Store, Libra Mart) and national fast food chain such as Jollibee shows the fast development of the city. The construction of its community airport and the development of the southern Negros Occidental as tourism hub of the province makes Kabankalan as the urban center in the south.
Victorias City, Sagay City, San Carlos City These three cities are the three fastest urbanizing city in northern Negros Occidental. Aside from the existing sugar mills in these localities each one has its own distinct land mark.
Victorias City is famous for its Victorias Milling Company.
However lately, with the
construction of its Victorias Gymnasium, it is now home of the Philippine Basketball Association in Negros Occidental.
Sagay City with two sugar mills and the infamous Insular Lumber Company now boast itself with its Sagay Marine Reserve, New City Hall, Museo Pambata and Export Processing Zone.
San Carlos City with its Sipaway Island and Clean Sea Port is now home of the first Ethanol Plant in the province. They are also making grounds for a call center in the city.
III - 143
III - 144
Protection Framework Negros Occidental has around 7 percent remaining forest. These forests are found in the NIPAS areas such as Mt. Kanla-on Natural Park, North Negros Natural Park and the two watershed areas of the province. Other than in the upland, another NIPAS area is Sagay Marine Reserve and other non-NIPAS but equally critical protected areas such as Danjugan Island and the various marine sanctuaries in the coastal areas of the province.
Presently, rehabilitation and protection programs and activities are in place in these protected areas. The Environment Code of the province provides for the policies particularly encroachment in protected areas. Bantay Bukid Brigade and the Task Force Ilahas should be strengthened as environment police and guardian of our forest.
Public awareness should be enhanced in the protection and rehabilitation of protected areas both upland and coastal.
As a matter of policy, zoning ordinances should be strictly followed and land use standards fully implemented i.e. buffer zones and embankments.
The various alliances for coastal resources should be strengthened and expanded to address other concerns of the LGUs to include waste management, environmental issues, social and economic concerns.
III - 145
III - 146
Production Framework Agriculture Negros Island is envisioned as the organic food capital of Asia. The provincial government is looking forward that by the end of the planning period, 10 percent of agricultural farms of the province has converted into organic agriculture. To ensure and assess the extent of meeting the 10 percent target, the provincial government with the cooperation of the LGUs established organic villages all over the province.
Thus, the twin provinces in Negros created the Negros Island Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Program in 2005. The program aims to counter the ill-effects of
chemical-based agriculture, ensure food security, support conservation of biodiversity, and assist government in its poverty alleviation efforts.
Agriculture of Negros Occidental will become diversified with sugarcane as the main crop and livestock as complimentary industry. Livestock is also a main component of organic agriculture. Rice and corn (feed corn) sufficiency is a target of the province. Negrenses will be taught to eat more fruits and vegetables for healthy foods thus, production of these commodities are encouraged. This will be done through information, education and
communication. This will also be integrated in school curricula. Religious groups will also be tapped in promoting this novel program. Roots crops as alternative to rice and flour are being researched by the University of the Philippines Los Baos. Root crops are agricultural commodities that uses very little chemicals or none at all.
Support facilities such as rice and corn grain centers will be established to support the organic agriculture program. Triple A abattoirs will also be constructed for the livestock industry and the Export Processing Zone so it can pass international quality standards. Fisheries Negros Occidental aims to regain back its status as a net exporter of fishery products by 2013. With the organic stand of the province, its fisheries will also be cultured and grown under the organic standards.
III - 147
Coastal Fisheries Resource Management (CFRM) Program will also be given importance and priority. Marine sanctuaries and fishery reserves will be established to preserve breeding areas and improve fish population. Sanctuaries will also become tourism attraction in the province. Energy The need for an alternative source of energy for the increasing demand in the province has pushed the provincial government to decide on renewable energy as its primary source as it is
environment friendly and does not need to import its energy source. These include water, biomass, wind, solar, ethanol, jatropha, bio-gas among others. Coal and other power source may also be considered as long as it meets the environment and health policy of the province. Tourism The province of Negros Occidental is famous for its nature tourism or its ecological tourism. Recently, it has also developed its agricultural tourism as a result of its organic farming policy.
Mambukal Resort is the tourism flagship of the province. The resort lies 1,200 feet or about 366 meters above sea level and serves as a gateway to the Mount Kanlaon Volcano. Its Land Area is over 23.6 hectares, Mambukal is blessed with numerous beautiful natural resources. A huge mountain stream, fed by several water channels, flows down in a series of seven falls and flows through the center of the resort, feeding the swimming pools and boating lagoon. The resort has an ideal location for viewing decks or, for more great encounters with nature, the Canopy Walk with its hanging bridges. You can also challenge yourself on the Rock Climbing Wall or the Slide for Life.
There also other LGU initiated tourism sites and activities. Tourism development should conform to proper zoning and sound and sustainable development that must be sensitive to local traditions, culture and customs. The PLUC ensures that proper compliance to land regulatory measures and zoning ordinances are followed.
III - 148
Mining Large scale mining companies used to operate in the province but these were closed due to financial and labor problems. Should the mining industry be revitalized, environmentallysound and socially-acceptable mining practices will be promoted. Environmental protection and ecological integrity of mining firms in all stages of mining operations should be given utmost consideration. Mining laws shall be strictly enforced. Industry Most industries in the province are agri-based or resourced-based industries. Heavy and highly-pollutive industries are welcome but not encourage.
The province encourages the LGUs to zone their respective areas in accordance with actual and potential land uses. Built-up/settlements should be guided by the local comprehensive development and land use plan based on the suitability, existing and potential industry needs, support infrastructures and environmental impacts. Industrial developments should also be inconsonance with the policy of the province in terms of environmental protection and conservation, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and healthy practices. Situating of industries should be guided by the objective of a market-oriented dispersal strategy and a common objective as exemplified by the alliances of LGUs. Industries should be able to developed new growth centers and economic zones.
III - 149
III - 150
Transport/Infrastructure Development Framework
It is inevitable that with the present trend, the provincial economy will continue to grow and inflate. Pressure from the increasing populace for transport facilities, buildings, roads, bridges, power, water, food, shelter, etc. will be overwhelming. Basic infrastructures are basis of investors to come into the province. So its a chicken or egg scenario. Government shall always support business and its populace.
The provincial will always support the LGUs in providing their infrastructure needs as long as it is with the standard of zoning and land use plan.
The provincial government has laid out its plan for an irrigation highway to support the domestic, industrial and agricultural water needs of the LGUs. It also has a dual purpose of being a source of power for hydro-electricity.
Construction of sanitary landfills is being laid in the table by LGUs as the cost is way below the financial capacity of most LGUs. The existing alliances are already in the drawing tables as to come up with common land-fills, jointly financed by LGUs. This is being encouraged by the province in fact it is being initiated by the provincial government through its Solid Waste Management Board.
III - 151
III - 152
III - 153
Negros Occidental Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan, 2008 -2013 Chapter IV : Development Issues, Goals, Objectives/Targets
CHAPTER IV
Development Issues, Goals, Objectives/Targets
1. Development Issues and Problems Development issues are basically problems directly related to symptoms or indicators of development. Some issues are sector-specific while others are multi-sectoral. Sectoral-specific issues are addressed directly while multi-sectoral issues require more than just providing technical solutions to technical problems. Solutions may involve combinations of socio-economic, political and military or police interventions.
PLANNING ENVIRONMENT DRIVERS

Population Economy Physical Resources
SYMPTOMS
Income Services Land Use
VISION
Development Issues/Problems
Goals Objectives/Targets
3 4
Programs Projects Activities
Strategies
Feg. 13. The planning environment, development issues/problems, strategies and PPAs.
IV - 154
Development issues and problems in Negros Occidental were gathered from two sources namely:
1. Assessment of the planning environment and;
2. The several multi-sectoral/stakeholders consultations conducted by the P/LPEM Core Team. These consultations were attended by LGUs, National Agencies, Provincial Departments/Offices, NGOs, and private institutions/corporations including the business community.
IV - 155
Table 23. Development Issues and Problems Issues/Problems DRIVERS Population High Growth Rate Early marriages High birth rates Large family sizes Apparent ineffective Family Planning Program Illiteracy rate Physical Resources Declining forest cover (upland & Mangrove) Degradation of watershed Polluted river system Limited ecosystem profiling and delineation conflicts Degraded marine ecosystem Unsustainable implementation of environmental laws and ordinances Transport/Access Insufficient power supply Insufficient water supply Non-compliance of Water Code Lack of Farm to Market Roads and Bridges Lack of irrigation facilities Limited access to Panay and Cebu Deteriorating roads and bridges Economy High dependence to sugar industry Deficit in production of most agricultural commodities Dependence on power supply from other provinces Limited market accessibility of farm products Marginal production performance of CARP lands Declining agricultural productivity due to declining soil fertility and rampant land conversion Limited access to credit
IV - 156
Table 23. Development Issues and Problems (continued) Issues/Problems SYMPTOMS/INDICATORS Income Services Low priority to disaster management Inaccessible and unaffordable health care services Inadequate government hospital facilities, supplies and manpower Limited government investment for health program No integrated disaster and epidemic management plan for LGUs Increasing number of drop outs in elementary and High School students / Increasing number of out of school youth Lack of affordable housing program Inefficient access and control of the various disadvantage sectors over social welfare and development services and resources Low average family income Lack of livelihood opportunities/skills/education Lack of capital/resources Limited employment opportunities High incidence of poverty Land Use Urban encroachment on agricultural lands Conversion of upland areas and prime agricultural land to non-food production use such as tourism use Boundary conflicts in some LGUs Encroachment in protected areas Mining malpractice Soil erosion and landslide Salt water intrusion Flooding
IV - 157
3. Development Goals, Objectives and Targets
Guided by the vision of the province, goals, objectives and targets are formulated to respond and meet the gaps as identified by the various issues and problems. Goals respond to be inter-sectoral in coverage as they respond to a general problem. An objective/target tends to focus on a single sector. Objectives/targets are specific, can be measured, achievable, realistic, and should be achieve with a specific time frame. Again, these goals and objectives were results of the several consultations and group discussions of varied sectors both in the government and the private organizations.
Goals and objectives/targets formulated here are more directly derived from symptoms since their significance are direct and are more achievable rather than those derived from the drivers of development.
IV - 158
Table 24. Development Goals, Objectives, and Targets Issues/Problems SYMPTOMS/INDICATORS Income / Services Low priority to disaster management No integrated disaster and epidemic management plan for LGUs To integrate disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption in PDPFP and decision making process To mainstream DRR in the PDPFP and PDIP/AIP GOALS OBJECTIVES/TARGETS
To provide Philhealth ng Masa to indigents in the province Conduct regular medical and dental missions to far-flung barangays Enhance LGU-run infirmaries and medical facilities To provide accessible, affordable, and sustainable quality health care services for all Negrenses. Inadequate government hospital facilities, supplies and manpower Limited government investment for health program Construction of additional primary hospital in the 6th district Upgrading of provincial and district hospitals Upgrading and provision of hospital facilities and equipment Increase government investment in health care program by 5% annually To provide incentives to indigent parents such as food for education Provision of free school supplies to indigent students Provision of transportation to far-flung students particularly in high school To formulate a strategic framework anchored on multistakeholder/tripartite, market based, private sector and LGU led reforms and approaches to housing and informal settlers.
Inaccessible and unaffordable health care services
Increasing number of drop outs in elementary and High School students / Increasing number of out of school youth
To reduce Elementary and High School drop outs and enable children of school going age to have access to education.
Lack of affordable housing program
To make available affordable, pro-poor, DRR/CC adapted, environment-compliant, well-planned housing program
IV - 159
Table 24. Development Goals, Objectives, and Targets (continued) Issues/Problems SYMPTOMS/INDICATORS To improve status of human development index and more equitable distribution of resources To ensure efficient access and control over social welfare and development services To meet the present needs of the various disadvantaged sectors (elderly, father, women, youth, women, youth children, differently-abled persons, victims of natural & man-made disasters, individuals & families in especially difficult circumstances. To improve life expectancy from 67 to 75 To increase literacy from 91% to 95% To increase per capita income by 3% annually Adequate provision of basic social services GOALS OBJECTIVES/TARGETS
Inefficient access and control of the various disadvantage sectors over social welfare and development services and resources
Priority programs for various disadvantage sectors
Low average family income Lack of livelihood opportunities/ skills/ education Lack of capital/resources Limited employment opportunities High incidence of poverty Land Use Urban encroachment on agricultural lands Conversion of upland areas and prime agricultural land to non-food production use such as tourism use Encroachment in protected areas To increase incomes/livelihood opportunities thus, reducing unemployment and poverty incidence.
Provide income generating opportunities Provide job fairs Support cooperatives and micro-finance NGOs Provide a conducive climate for investments Reduce poverty incidence by 3% annually
To strictly enforce regulations on indiscriminate land conversion.
Regular monitoring of PLUC on land use compliance
Prosecute violators in protected areas
IV - 160
Table 24. Development Goals, Objectives, and Targets (continued) Issues/Problems SYMPTOMS/INDICATORS Boundary conflicts in some LGUs Mining malpractice Soil erosion and landslide Salt water intrusion Flooding To bring to a minimum the degradation of the environment while protecting communities in disaster prone areas. To establish and strengthen inter-LGU Land and Water for boundary delineation. Resolve boundary conflicts by the end of planning period Prosecute violators of mining laws Intensify awareness of sloping agricultural technology Eliminate indiscriminate shallow wells Install proper drainage system GOALS OBJECTIVES/TARGETS
IV - 161
Negros Occidental Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan, 2008 -2013 Chapter V : Strategies, Programs, Projects, and Activities
CHAPTER V
Strategies, Programs, Projects, and Activities
The present framework on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation has bolstered the resolve of the province to enhance disaster management in the province. The initial action plan for disaster risk reduction are as follows:
1. Risk Assessment Data Gathering and/or Validation/Consultations 2. Strengthening local disaster management councils 3. Mainstreaming DRR & CCA in local governance and budget 4. Massive Information Campaign
The above framework is summarized through the provinces Amlig Kabuhi Program whose strategies include the following: 1. LGUs/ Community Participation 2. Alliance Building and Linkage Development 3. Enhanced Management Information System 4. Conduct of Risk Analysis in Hazard Prone Areas 5. Institutionalization and Sustainability
V - 162
Table 25. Strategies, Program, Projects and Activities OBJECTIVES/TARGETS STRATEGIES Strengthening of PDCC by mainstreaming disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation Strengthen monitoring of vulnerable localities and communities Establish an affordable comprehensive health care program. Conduct regular Medical and Dental Missions Enhancement of LGU-run infirmaries and medical facilities Construction of additional health facilities in tourism expansion areas Capacitate health providers PPAs
PDCC Strategic Planning
To mainstream DRR in the PDPFP and PDIP/AIP
PDCC regular monitoring Negros Occidental Comprehensive Health Program Medical/Dental Mission Evaluation of LGU-run Infirmaries and Medical Facilities Hospital Construction Capacity Development Program for Health providers Community Empowerment on Health Programs Capacity Development Food-for -Education Educational Assistance Program Sakay-Aral Program
To provide Philhealth ng Masa to indigents in the province To conduct regular medical and dental missions to far-flung barangays To enhance LGU-run infirmaries and medical facilities To construct additional primary hospital in the 6th district To upgrade provincial and district hospitals and hospital equipment To increase government investment in health care program by 5% annually To provide incentives to indigent parents such as food for education To provide free school supplies to indigent students To provide transportation to farflung students particularly in high school To formulate a strategic framework anchored on multistakeholder/tripartite, market based, private sector and LGU led reforms and approaches to housing and informal settlers.
Empower communities through health advocacies and education. Capacitate education providers Incentivized education Provision of free school supplies
Provision of transport vehicle
Strategic frame-working
Strategic Planning
V - 163
Table 25. Strategies, Program, Projects and Activities (continued) OBJECTIVES/TARGETS To improve life expectancy from 67 to 75 To increase literacy from 91% to 95% To increase per capita income by 3% annually To provide adequate basic social services To prioritize programs for various disadvantage sectors To provide income generating opportunities STRATEGIES Life expectancy improvement Increase literacy Increase per capita income Provision of basic social services Programs for disadvantage sectors PPAs HDI improvement Program HDI improvement Program HDI improvement Program Social Services Program Social Services Program Income Generating Opportunities Home-based Industries Conduct Job Fairs Support to cooperatives and MFIs Creation of a Business Development Board Reduction of poverty incidence Regular PLUC monitoring Prosecution of violators Resolve boundary conflicts Prosecution of violators Intensify awareness of SALT Limit shallow wells Installation of proper drainage Job Fairs Micro-Finance Program Business Development Board Local Poverty Reduction Program PLUC Monitoring and Evaluation Bantay Bukid Brigade Alliance Building Program Balas-Bato task Force SALT Program Shallow Well Program Drainage Program
Income generating opportunities
To conduct job fairs To support cooperatives and micro-finance NGOs To provide a conducive climate for investments To reduce poverty incidence by 3% annually To conduct regular monitoring on land use compliance by PLUC To prosecute violators inside protected areas To resolve boundary conflicts by the end of planning period To prosecute violators of mining laws To intensify awareness of sloping agricultural technology To eliminate indiscriminate shallow wells To install proper drainage system
V - 164
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
1. Rice Processing Center 2. Irrigation Highway 3. Provincial Cattle Farms 4. Hospital Construction and Upgrading 5. Food Terminal Project 6. Health Insurance Program 7. Kabankalan Community Airport 8. Hinoba-an Community Airport 9. San Carlos Community Airport 10. Translink Bridges 11. Triple A Abbatoir 12. Tourism Highway
V - 165
V - 166

NegOccPDPFP 2008-2013

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Оригинальное название

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

NegOccPDPFP 2008-2013

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Province of Negros Occidental

PROVINCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND PHYSICAL FRAMEWORK PLAN

II. VISION / MISSION

V. STRATEGIES, PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, AND ACTIVITIES

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10

14 16 18 19 30 43 46 56 65 65 69 73 74 75 75 77 78 100 101 102 128 133 136 156 159 163 iv

NPC NSCB NSO NWRB PAGASA

SRA SRNH UNICEF VMC VRESCO

Investment Programming Revenue Generation

Locally funded projects Budgeting Expenditure Management

Fig. 1. PDPFP Framework

Core Element Population Population

Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Trade, Industry, Services, Tourism

Statistical tables, graphs, charts and maps are used to

describe the provinces planning environment.

framework/strategies/policies, scenarios/targets, major programs and projects to be implemented shall be anchored.

Land Area (sq. km.)

Source: NSO 2007 Census, RSET 2007

2. Population and Settlements

Source: NSCB, Regional Socio-Economic Trends

2.2. Population Size, Density and Growth Rate

Note: *Population including Bacolod City. Source: RSET, NSCB

Population Density and Urbanization

Fig. 2. 2007 Population of Negros Occidental by municipality/city.

Fig. 3. 2007 Population Density of Negros Occidental by municipality/city

Fig. 4. 2007 Population Growth Rate of Negros Occidental by municipality/city

Note: *Population including Bacolod City Source: RSET, NSCB

2.3. Existing Settlement Patterns

likewise to be located in this zone.

Figure 5. Protected Areas and Watershed in Negros Occidental

The existing settlement patterns may be described as a four-level hierarchy.

Land and Water Resources

Main Geological Features of the Province

Mineral Resources of the Province

Climate of the Province

3.2. Land Use Potentials, Constraints and Development-Related Issues

% LGUS under Threat 90 % 100% 100% 100% 26% 100%

Table 10. Cost of Damage of Calamities and Hazard in Negros Occidental

395 M 73, 846 397,375

95 M 15, 960 85, 881

85 M 12, 288 64, 291

10 M 3, 524 32, 740

10 M 5, 576 33, 246

10 M 3, 200 16, 000

10 M 22, 584 112, 920

14 M 20, 901 103, 566

10 M 18, 896 84, 408

Source: PDCC, Negros Occidental

Fig. 6. Mt. Kanlaon Volcanic Lava Flow Hazard Map

Fig. 7. Mt. Kanlaon Pyroclastic Flow and Lahar Hazard Map

e. Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones (SAFDZ)

Fig. 8. Ground Water Availability Map

Figure 6. Overall distribution of the regional economy

Negros Occ. 38.11%

Antique 7.32% Capiz 10.05%

Fig. 9. Overall Distribution of the Regional Economy

Mining & Quarrying

Wholesale & Retail

Community, Recreational & Personal Services

Transportation, Storage & Communication Services

Other Service Industries

Aklan Antique Capiz