Palo, Leyte – The Economic Development Committee (EDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII, chaired by DTI VIII Regional Director Cynthia R. Nierras, conducted its 1st Quarter Meeting on March 13, 2017 at the Felipina Hall, NEDA Regional Office VIII, Palo, Leyte.

The meeting highlighted the presentation and review of the CY 2018 Budget Proposals of EDC member-regional line agencies (RLAs), namely: DA, BFAR, PCA, PhilFIDA, NIA, PCIC, DAR, DTI, DOT, DOST, DENR, MGB and EMB. The purpose of the activity was to provide a venue for an efficient budget review process that would enable the RDC VIII to objectively recommend the 2018 Budget Proposals of the RLAs to their respective central offices. This is pursuant to Section 4(d) of Executive Order No. 325, s. 1997, as amended and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) National Budget Memorandum (NBM) No. 127. Agency programs, projects and activities should be based on the national and regional budget priorities. After thorough review by the Committee, all the budget proposals of the abovementioned agencies were endorsed for approval.

The Committee also tackled the Salcedo Agro-Aqua-Eco Tourism Circuit Development Plan and the Tolosa Strategy Paper, entitled “Padayon sa Pag-Uswag: Overcoming Constraints, Maximizing Opportunities for the Strategic Development of Tolosa.” The preparation of the said papers was assisted by the Action for Economic Reforms Industrial Policy (AER-IP) Team, which aim to maximize resources and facilitate socioeconomic development in selected Yolanda-affected municipalities.

Moreover, Department of Tourism (DOT) VIII Regional Director Karina Tiopes presented the Eastern Visayas Regional Tourism Roadmap 2017-2022. The roadmap lays down key objectives, targets, proposed programs, projects and activities for tourism development in the region in the next medium term. The roadmap was endorsed to the Council proper subject to recommendations agreed upon by the Committee members.

Alma M. Moreno, PFPD, NEDA VIII