NB-RDCom Visayas Holds Its 2017 First Regular Meeting in Tacloban City

Posted on May 15, 2017

The NEDA Board-Regional Development Committee (NB-RDCom) for Visayas Area had its first meeting for the year on May 3, 2017 at Patio Victoria, San Jose, Tacloban City. The meeting was presided over by RDC VIII Vice-Chairperson and NEDA VIII Regional Director Bonifacio G. Uy, being the head of the RDCom Visayas Interim Secretariat, and meantime that the new Chairperson of the Committee for the 2017-2019 term of office has not yet been selected. In attendance were: Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) Secretary Michael Lloyd L. Dino; NEDA-Regional Development Office (RDO) Assistant Secretary Mercedita A. Sombilla; Antique Governor Hon. Rhodora J. Cadiao; RDC VII Co-Chairperson and Acting Chairperson Kenneth C. Cobonpue; RDC VIII Chairperson, Tacloban City Mayor Hon. Cristina G. Romualdez; RDC VIII Co-Chairperson, Atty. Roy Bernard C. Fiel; RDC VI Vice-Chairperson/Acting Chairperson and NEDA VI Regional Director Ro-Ann A. Bacal; RDC VI Secretary and NEDA VI Assistant Regional Director Raul S. Anlocotan; RDC VII Vice-Chairperson and NEDA VII Regional Director Efren B. Carreon; RDC VII Secretary and NEDA VII Assistant Regional Director Dionisio C. Ledres, Jr.; RDC VIII Acting

Secretary and NEDA VIII OIC-Assistant Regional Director Meylene C. Rosales; and Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Ma. Lina P. Sanogal, representing Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo G. Marañon.

The Regional Development Committee (RDCom) is one of the Committees under the NEDA Board, which is mandated to coordinate and integrate regional development efforts as well as promote cross-regional/local concerns pursuant to Executive Order No. 257. The high-level meeting discussed major issues pertaining to the RDCom Visayas. One of the major agreements reached during the meeting was on the reorganization of the RDCom Visayas. The members, however, deferred the selection of the Committee Chairperson and Co-Chairperson for the 2017-2019 term of office, pending the appointment of both RDC VI and VII Chairpersons. However, the Committee members unanimously selected RDC VIII Chairperson, Hon. Cristina G. Romualdez, to represent the RDCom Visayas as its Interim Chairperson in the NB-RDCom meeting on May 8, 2017.

Another issue deliberated was on the interphase between the OPAV and RDCom Visayas. This matter needed to be clarified to ensure complementation between the two entities, considering that both cover the Visayas Area. The Committee members agreed that the two shall collaborate with each other in terms of planning and policy recommendations and development of Visayas-wide flagship projects. Both parties also agreed to resolve issues concerning the Visayas hand-in-hand, particularly those that need intervention from the Office of the President and other high-level authorities. Towards this end, the Committee then agreed to invite Secretary Dino to every meeting. The Secretary acceded and expressed his full support to all undertakings of the Committee.

Other highlights of the meeting are captured in the five major resolutions passed during the meeting. These are: 1) RDCom Visayas Resolution No. 3, Series of 2017, Approving the Interphase/Coordination Arrangements Framework Between the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) and RDCom Visayas; 2) RDCom Visayas Resolution No. 4, Series of 2017, Requesting the Office of the President Through the Office of the Executive Secretary to Issue Guidelines on the Operations of the NIR Regional Offices; 3) RDCom Visayas Resolution No. 5, Series of 2017, Endorsing to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Road Board the Proposal to Install Two Directional Signs (Leading to Cities and Municipalities and to a Major Tourist Spot in Each LGU) Using the Motor Vehicle Users Charge Fund; 4) RDCom Visayas Resolution No. 7, Series of 2017, Requesting the NB-RDCom to Endorse to the Office of the President the Proposals of RDCs VI, VII, and VIII to Increase the Local Travel Allowance from PhP800.00 to PhP1,500.00 for Travels Within the Region and PhP3,500.00 for Travels Outside the Region; and 5) RDCom Visayas Resolution No. 8, Series of 2017, Endorsing the Acquisition of Lot and Construction of the Visayas Disaster Response Center (VDRC) to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) for Funding.

Hiyasmin Batan-Martillo, PFPD, NEDA VIII