The Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII endorsed the FY 2024 priority programs and projects (PAPs) of agency regional offices and state universities and colleges during its First Quarter Full Council Meeting on 21 March 2023 at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Ormoc City Hall.

Based on the review of the Regional Interagency Task Force on Planning and Budgeting, the Council’s four Sectoral Committees endorsed a total of 4,420 PAPs for inclusion in the FY 2024 budget proposal of the agency central offices.  These PAPs amount to approximately PhP213 billion, with PhP178 billion (83.31%) emanating from the Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee. The proposed budgets for the Economic, Social, and Development Administration Committees add up to PhP5 billion, PhP18 billion, and 4 billion, respectively.

“Today we tackle the most important subject, the budget. Because whatever plans we have, whatever dreams we carry, it is nothing if they cannot be funded and implemented,” said the RDC VIII Chairperson and Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez in her opening message. “Today’s discussion reflects the mandate of the people. We are all cognizant of the fact that, today, we carry a privilege and a responsibility to bring our plans and programs to the national level,” she added.

In the same meeting, the Council also awarded a plaque of commendation to Department of Science and Technology VIII Regional Director Ernesto M. Granada who served as RDC VIII-Social Development Committee Chairperson from April to October 2022.

Article and Photos by:  Veronica Riel, DRD and Knulp Aseo, DRD