“The Regional Development Council is the highest policy-making in the region. We are not here just to present our budget but we are here to contribute to the regional development.”
This was the gist of the message of Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) -9 during the 143rd Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting held recently at the Top Plaza Hotel this city.
The council has endorsed a P47.43-billion budget for fiscal year 2014, which is 140 percent higher than the P19.83-billion budget for 2013 in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
The P47.43 billion represents the total proposed budget submitted by the regional offices of the different government agencies and state universities and colleges in Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen).
Sectoral issues and concerns affecting the regional growth and development were also tackled during the meeting, leading to the passage of resolutions involving the “Family Health Improved” project of the Department of Health (DOH), “ Public-Private Partnership School Infrastructure Project Phase II (PSIP II) of the Department of Education (DepED), and the request for assistance and funding from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the dredging of Palomoc River and Titay Valley flood control project all in Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay.
In the same gathering, a memorandum of agreement between NEDA-9 and DPWH-9 has been signed for the construction of NEDA’s office building worth P50 million in Pagadian City. The DPWH has to assist in the detailed engineering and technical supervision of the project.
The RDC is tasked with coordinating the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of short and long-term regional development plans and investment programs, regional physical framework plan and special development plans, including the formulation of policy recommendations.
It also integrates approved development plans of provinces and cities, line agencies, state universities and colleges, government owned and controlled corporations and special development authorities in the region into the regional development plan.
[mappress]
Press Release, March 15, 2013