NEDA VIII Regional Director Atty. Bonifacio Uy emphasized the importance of strengthening linkages and coordination among local government units (LGUs) in his keynote message during the League of Local Planning and Development Coordinators of the Philippines, Inc., – Eastern Visayas (LLPDCPI-EV) forum on 6 April 2022.

In his message, RD Uy emphasized the two axes of coordination—vertical and horizontal. On vertical coordination, he stressed that constituent units of an LGU – be it a city, municipality, or barangay – should be highly involved in the preparation of development plans. On horizontal coordination, he enjoined LGUs to conduct constant dialogue with each other. He explained the crucial role coordination will play in the implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling, as local government units (LGUs) fully assume devolved government functions pursuant to Executive Order No. 138.

He was especially happy with the initiative of the League in conducting the Forum. He conveyed that the event was a sign that local planners in the region see the value of collective discussions and mutual sharing from such gatherings.

Dir. Uy likewise enjoined LGUs to prioritize the policy measures enclosed in EO 166, s. 2022, which adopted the ten-point agenda for post-COVID-19 economic recovery and the NEDA’s four priorities of smarter infrastructure, regional equity, innovation, and climate change in the creation of their plans. He expressed that with the expiration of the Philippine Development Plan, the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan and many local plans, these policy outlines provide an opportunity to track a new course toward local and regional development.

The League of Local Planning and Development Coordinators of the Philippines, Inc., – Eastern Visayas (LLPDCPI-EV) Chapter conducted the two-day Eastern Visayas Planners’ Forum on April 6-7, 2022 at Summit Hotel, Tacloban City. With the theme Recalibrating Local Towards Equity and Resilience, the forum centered on discussions on data-driven and convergence planning approaches to bolster risk-resilience and to enhance local development strategies and land use planning for the attainment of equitable growth in the region.

Article by: Veronica Riel, DRD

Photos by: Knulp Aseo, DRD