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Negros Occidental

Location and boundaries

• Dubbed as the "sugar bowl of the Philippines", Negros Occidental is located in the northwestern portion of Negros Island, near the central part of the Philippine Archipelago.
• Visayan Sea bound it in the north; in the south by Sulu Sea; in the east by Negros Oriental; in the southeast by Guimaras Strait.
• Travel time by air, via Bacolod, is 50 minutes away from Metro Manila and by sea is 24 hours.

Infrastructure facilities

• Telecommunications: Philippine Long Distance Co. (PLDT) and Islacom
• 1 domestic airport in Bacolod City (daily flights by Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific)
• 6 seaports
• San Carlos Economic Zone

Cost of doing business

• Minimum daily wage

  Sector	Rates (in US$)
  Non-agriculture (Industrial/Commercial)	2.86-3.40
  Agriculture	2.40-3.00
  Cottage/Handicraft	2.44-3.40
  Sugar Industry	2.40-3.40

  Note: Rate inclusive of COLA
  Source: Regional Tripartite Wages & Productivity Board
  (WO #RB^VI-10 date of effectivity 11/16/2000)

Potential investment areas

• Development of ports and economic zones
• Eco-tourism
• Food processing
• Furniture making
• Garments
• Gifts, toys and houseware
• Integrated bamboo plantation and processing
• Integrated fruit processing
• Integrated livestock project
• Metal craft
• Mining and mineral processing
• Production of citric acid from molasses and sugarcane juice
• Production of moscuvado sugar

Incentives

Ordinance No. 198 s. 1998

Enterprises qualified under this ordinance shall enjoy the following tax incentives:

1. Preferred Priority Investment Areas/Activities
   1. Within seven (7) years from the start of the commercial operation, the registered enterprises under this code shall be fully exempted from the payment of Mayor's permit fees, Building Permit fees, Business Sales Tax, Transfer Tax and other fees and charges imposed under Ordinance 258 series of 1974.
   2. Within five (5) years from registration or start of commercial operation, whichever is earlier, the registered enterprise shall be fully exempted from paying the Basic Real Property Tax and Special Education Fund (SEF). Provided, that the applicant to the incentive program is required to secure licenses and permits necessary to operate their business without paying the corresponding fees or charges.
2. Other Preferred Investments
   1. For new, expanding and diversifying business enterprises registered under the National laws shall enjoy the same tax incentives enumerated under No. 1-a and 1-b from the date of registration or from the start of commercial operation, whichever is earlier.
3. Additional Investment Areas
   1. For new, expanding or diversifying business enterprises engaged in other types of business, the exemption which starts from the date of registration or commercial operation, which ever is earlier, shall enjoy the same tax incentives enumerated in Nos. 1 and 2 above.

Major tourist attractions

• The Maskarra Festival is celebrated every third week of October, the festivities is marked by food fair, mask-making contest, brass band competition, beauty pageant, beer drinking, trade fairs and exhibits. The climax of the festivities is the Mardi-gras parade where revelers don elaborate masks and costumes and dance to Latin rhythms Rio de Janeiro style.
• The 25,000-hectare Mount Kanlaon National Park offers wilderness trekking tours. The park is also a haven for bird-watching enthusiasts an opportunity to observe migratory and endemic bird species. Noted among the endemic species at the mountain are Bleeding Heart pigeon, Negros Fruit Doves, Visayan Warty Pigs, Negros Spotted deer, ferns, lichen and orchirds.
• The Mambukal Mountain Resort is one of the gateways to Mount Kanlaon National Park. Located at the northwestern portion of the mountain at an elevation of roughly 900 feet above sea level. The resort is known for its therapeutic sulfur springs, river-fed swimming pool and seven waterfalls.