Leyte Province Governor Leopoldo Dominico “Mic” L. Petilla and RDC VIII Private Sector Representative (PSR) – Mass Media Sector Luisita J. Quebec took their oath of office as RDC VIII’s new Chairperson and Co-Chairperson, respectively, during the oath-taking ceremony of newly appointed officials at the Malacañan Palace on 6 February 2020.

Governor Petilla previously served as Chairperson of the Council for the term 2013-2016 during his first stint as Governor of the Province of Leyte. Meanwhile, PSR Quebec served as representative of the mass media sector in the RDC VIII for four consecutive terms since 2010.

The two will now serve as Chairperson and Co-chairperson of the Council until 2022, coinciding with the term of local elective officials.

As the heads of the RDC, the highest policy-making body in the region, their appointments are pivotal in attaining the national and regional goals of economic growth and reduced poverty and inequality in all dimensions identified in the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 and the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan 2017-2022. The attainment of both goals is a crucial component in realizing the Filipinos’ long-term vision of a Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay Para sa Lahat, as embodied in AmBisyon Natin 2040.

Article by:  Knulp Aseo, NEDA VIII
Photo by:  Presidential Photographers Division, Office of the President