The Regional Development Council (RDC) VIII recently endorsed the Eastern Visayas priority programs and projects and activities (PPAs) of regional line agencies (RLAs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs) for FY 2019 budget, with a total funding requirement of PhP 193.7 billion. This was the highlight the RDC VIII Fourth Quarter 2017 Meeting held on 13 December 2017 at the Matapat Hall, Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte.

From the PhP 193.7 billion, the estimated cost of FY 2019 economic development sector PPAs is PhP 8.8 billion, while those of the social, infrastructure and utilities, and development administration PPAs are PhP 94.8 billion, PhP 89.5 billion and PhP 667 million, respectively.

These priority PPAs, among others, support the development thrusts along economic, infrastructure, social, and development administration advancement. They are aligned with the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan (EV-RDP) 2017-2022, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022, as well as the 0 to 10 Socioeconomic Agenda of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The early review of priority PPAs seeks to strengthen the link between the RDP and the plans of the line agencies and state universities, and improve their respective operational plans prior to the start of the Budget Execution, as mandated in the DBM-DOF-NEDA JMC Circular No. 2017-01 which sets the National Government Fiscal Calendar. The early review thus likewise ensures the smooth execution of the fiscal calendar.

Further, the RDC VIII is mandated to “review, prioritize, and endorse to the national government the annual and multi-year sectoral investment programs of the region for funding and implementation (Section 4c, EO 325).” Being so, it reviews and endorses to the national government the annual budgets of RLAs, SUCs, and special development authorities” (Section 4d, EO 325).

Previously, in its 2017 third quarter meeting, the RDC VIII also approved and adopted the RDC VIII Review Guidelines of FY 2019 Priority Programs and Projects (PPs) of RLAs and SUCs through RDC VIII Resolution No. 84, s. 2017 to facilitate preparation of the PPAs and early submission of the same to their respective Central Offices and of the SUCs to the CHED.

Maria Veda Eslopor; Photo by Judith Maris Torres