She was originally built as USS PCE-884, a PCE-842-class patrol craft for the United States Navy during World War II.

[7] The same configuration applied up until the late 1980s when the Philippine Navy removed most of her old anti-submarine weapons and systems, and added four 12.7 mm general-purpose machine guns, making her lighter and ideal for surface patrols, but losing her limited anti-submarine warfare capability.

The ship is powered by two GM 12-278A diesel engines, with a combined rating of around 2,200 bhp (1,600 kW) driving two propellers.

The main engines can propel the 914 tons (full load) ship to a maximum speed of around 16 knots (30 km/h).

[8] There is a slight difference between the BRP Negros Occidental as compared to some of her sister ships in the Philippine Navy, since her previous configuration was as a patrol craft escort, while the others are configured as minesweepers and patrol craft escort rescue ships.