Four Private Sector Representatives (PSRs) from the Regional Development Council VIII along with the Council Secretariat participated in the 10th RDC-PSR National Convention in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan on April 9-12, 2019.

Held annually, the convention is an opportunity for PSRs from across the country to discuss the role of the private sector in government initiatives and to come up with strategies to strengthen their participation in the RDC.

This year’s convention was hosted by RDC-MIMAROPA with the theme #ECOtOURism: Partnership for Sustainability. Plenary sessions and Workshops were conducted to harmonize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the Regional Development Plan (RDP) indicators for sustainable tourism, and identify sustainable tourism measures to be adopted by both the public and private sectors.

Outside the serious discussions and workshops, the convention also served as a venue for the PSRs to mingle and participate in friendly competition. RDC VIII-Regional Gender and Development Committee Chairperson and PSR for Youth/Women/Senior Citizens/Children/PWDs/Urban Poor – Mr. Leo Christian Lauzon was 2nd runner up during the Search for Lakan at Lakambini ng 10th RDC PSRs National Convention.

For RDC VIII, the activity provided the chance to benchmark the event in preparation for its hosting in 2020. Headed by RDC VIII – Economic Development Committee Acting Chairperson and PSR for Banking Francisco Barredo, the RDC VIII delegation was composed of PSRs Lauzon, Mario Ian Mosquisa, and Reynaldo Franco along with the RDC VIII Secretariat headed by RDC VIII Acting Vice-Chairperson and NEDA-VIII OIC-Regional Director Meylene C. Rosales.

During the ceremonial turn-over to the RDC VIII as the host of the 11th RDC PSRs National Convention in 2020, PSR Barredo stirred the excitement of the participants with a preview of what to expect in next year’s convention.

Article by Knulp Aseo, NEDA VIII
Photo by Fretzie Basal, NEDA VIII