Regional Development Council 4th Quarter Meeting held in Capiz

This year’s 4th Regional Development Council (RDC) VI meeting was hosted by the Province of Capiz last December 4, 2009 held at the Hall of Governors, Provincial Capitol in Roxas City. Chaired by Antique Governor Salvacion Zaldivar-Perez, the RDC is the highest policy-making and planning body of the region.

Capiz Governor Victor A. Tanco, Sr. welcomed the RDC VI members and the Provincial Planning and Development Office gave a brief video presentation of the Province’s major accomplishments and development directions. Selected as the venue of next year’s ONE Visayas Summit for Culture, Arts and Heritage in Roxas City, Mr. Alfonsos Tesoro of the Capiz Provincial Tourism Office presented the preparations undertaken by the province for the event which will involve various selected towns of the province where major activities will be held. The Summit will showcase the cultural aspect of the entire Visayas Region from Panay, Negros, Cebu, Leyte and Samar.

The body discussed, among others, the various committees’ issues and concerns, as well as, accomplishments, projects and programs in need of RDC VI endorsement. The body approved a total of eleven (11) RDC resolutions which included the following:

o RDC VI Resolution No. 65, s. 2009 – Endorsing to the Regional Development Council VI the Proposed Irrigation System Operation Efficiency Improvement Project (ISOEIP) of the National Irrigation Administration

Governor Victor A. Tanco, Sr. welcomed the guests to the 4th Quarter Regular RDC VI Meeting with NEDA 6 Dir. Ro-Ann Bacal, PA Raul Banias, RDC 6 Chair Gov. Sally Perez and RDC 6 Co-Chair Boy Homicillada

o RDC VI Resolution No. 66, s. 2009- Endorsing to RDC VI the Request for the Philippine Ports Authority to Consider an Alternative Dumping Site for the Dredged Materials Pending the Completion of the Environmental Study on the Use of its Existing Dumping Site in the Iloilo Strait, and in Light of the Objections of the Municipality of Buenavista (Guimaras)

o RDC VI Resolution No. 67, s. 2009- Endorsing to the Regional Development Council VI (RDC VI) the Proposed Improvement of Iloilo-Capiz Road (Old Route) under the ADB-Road Sector Improvement project (ADB-RSIP)

o RDC VI Resolution No. 68, s. 2009- Requesting Philippine Congress for Amendment in the Local Government Code of 1991, that the Environment and Natural Resources Officers (ENROs) Should be a Mandatory Position in the Provincial/ Municipal/ City LGU Offices.

o RDC VI Resolution No. 69, s. 2009- Encouraging Local Chief Executives (LCEs) to Create an Environment and Natural Resources Officer (ENRO) Position in Provincial/City/Municipal Offices.

o RDC VI Resolution No. 70, s. 2009- Enjoining Local Chief Executives (LCEs) in Municipalities/ Cities to Fast-track Compliance of Comprehensive Land use Plan (CLUP)

o RDC VI Resolution No. 71, s. 2009-Resolution of Support for the Provincial Health Investment Plans of the Six Provinces of Western Visayas

The body likewise passed resolutions giving appreciation to the Province of Capiz for its preparations on the ONE Visayas Summit on Culture, Arts and Heritage (RDC VI Resolution No. 64, s. 2009) and resolution showing appreciation to Governor Victor A. Tanco, Sr. for hosting the Regional Development Council VI Fourth Quarter Regular Meeting and for extending valuable support and assistance to RDC VI officials and members (RDC VI Resolution No. 72, s. 2009).

Presidential Assistant Raul N. Banias updated the body on the status of the Paglaum Fund for the rehabilitation of the damage brought about by Typhoon “Frank” in Western Visayas in 2008. According to him, the Paglaum Fund was not acted upon by the Senate. However, a rehabilitation fund for the victims of Typhoons “Ondoy” and “Pepeng” was approved by the Congress in the amount of twelve billion pesos (Php 12B), part of which, was appropriated for the rehabilitation of Typhoon “Frank” devastation amounting to P2B. On this note, Governor Perez pledged to lobby Senator Edgardo Angara, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, to increase the allocation to three billion pesos (Php 3B).

Also during the meeting, NEDA 6 Regional Director Ro-Ann A. Bacal gave a report on the Western Visayas Water Summit held last December 1-2, 2009 in Bacolod City. The RDC members surprised Director Evelyn A. Trompeta of the Department of Interior and Local Government and Chairperson of the Development Administration Committee with a plaque of recognition for having been one of the 2009 Gawad Career Service Executive Presidential Awardees.

After the meeting, the RDC members attended the grand opening ceremony of the Western Visayas 2009 Tourism Assembly, also in Roxas City./ Juvelyn Boniba and Estela Paredes, NEDA 6