Aiming to craft and execute comprehensive community-centered and ‘people-first’ development strategies and interventions, the Regional Development Council (RDC) XI Advisory Committee, headed by RDC XI Chairperson and Davao Oriental Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, recently convened for the First Semester Advisory Committee Meeting 2023 on May 4 at Seda Abreeza Hotel, Davao City.
Among the council’s agenda was the abridged presentation of the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP) in a 5-year span target from 2023-2028 which includes highlights, legislative agenda, and flagship projects.
RDC XI Vice Chairperson and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Maria Lourdes Lim, who presented the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP), expressed the strategy framework anchored on improving education, boosting health, establishing livable communities, ensuring food security and proper nutrition, strengthening social protection, increasing employability, expanding employment opportunities and achieving shared labor market governance.
Moreover, the DRDP is also set onto a more progressive, broad-based, and strong Davao Region through prioritization of modernizing agriculture and agri-business, revitalizing industry and reinvigorating services in terms of promoting trade and investments, advancing research and development, technology and innovation, enhancing inter-industry linkages and promoting competition and improve regulatory efficiency.
In line with the proposals, included in the priority is the Mati Airport Development with an estimated P375 million budget proposal for the development and improvement of the existing facilities that will support safe and efficient turbo propeller operation and pave the way for a sight to set up and accommodate flights.
Also discussed during the meeting are the status of inclusion of RDC XI-endorsed Budget Proposals for 2023, the General Appropriations Act (GAA), and a Summary of RDC XI-endorsed 2024 Budget Proposals of the national agencies, state universities and colleges, and government-owned and controlled operations in Davao Region. The priority proposals with lined-up infrastructure and other inclusive programs were fully supported by the council through the involvement of the representatives from the different agencies, the academe, and the chief executives and representatives from the different Local Government Units.
Meanwhile, the Davao Region, with its continuing significant efforts for advancing economic activities, was acknowledged as the third fastest-growing regional economy in the Philippines, tied with Central Luzon and Bicol Region.
Also present during the RDC XI meeting was Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Congressman Cheeno Almario represented by Sangguniang Panlalawigan Representative Board Member Rochie Ravelo who expressed the commitment to further seek to institutionalize the Revitalized Barangay Police (RBP) program of the Philippine National Police (PNP), which was launched by PNP Regional Office (PRO) 11 to solidify the efforts of sustaining peace and development.
The meeting was also graced by RDC Co-Chairperson and Private Sector Representative for Energy and ICT Sector, Mr. Art Milan, RDC XI Secretary and NEDA XI Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Gilberto A. Altura, Davao De Oro Governor Dorothy Gonzaga together with the representations of the Local Government Units Local Chief Executives, national government agencies, private sectors, district representatives, state universities and colleges. By Mark Oliver Alvite
