Left to right: Deputy Governor John Tracy Cagas of Davao del Sur, RDC XI Vice-Chairperson and NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, RDC XI Chairperson and Davao del Norte Governor Anthony G. del Rosario, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte and Davao Occidental Governor Claude P. Bautista during the south cluster roadshow.

Davao City, Philippines. The Regional Development Council XI conducted its roadshow activities for the Davao Region local government units starting off with the north cluster, comprising of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley on January 26, 2018 followed by the south cluster, comprising of Davao del Sur, Davao City and Davao Occidental, on February 2, 2018 in Davao City.  Local Chief Executives of Davao Region sealed its commitment to the region’s development plan and implementation.

RDC XI Chairperson and Davao del Norte Governor Anthony G. del Rosario delivered his message for the participants of the RDP, 2017-2022 Roadshow.

“It was with much optimism that we crafted the DRDP, 2017-2022 as our blueprint for development under the Duterte Administration. Series of planning workshops and stakeholder consultations were conducted throughout the second half of 2016. We are proud to have produced a Plan that is truly for all Dabawenyos and crafted by Dabawenyos. The DRDP is now into its second year of implementation”, said RDC XI Chairperson and Davao del Norte Governor Anthony del Rosario in his opening statement.

The two roadshow events, with the theme “Committing to Sustain Change”, gathered almost 500 participants including Municipal Mayors, planning officers, other local department heads, and private stakeholder partners from the Region’s five (5) provinces and Davao City. In efforts to showcase the LGUs’ major programs, projects and activities, an exhibit was set up during the event.

“The whole officialdom of Compostela Valley Province join hands with other provinces of the region in the successful implementation of the plan”, message of Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy as delivered by Mr. Placido R. Alcomendras, Jr., Assistant Provincial Administrator during the north cluster roadshow in Nabunturan.

“The development plan is a package of dreams and aspirations; a package of people’s needs rather than wants. As a significant guide in steering our development directives, I could say that I am grateful that we have been given the opportunity to develop this region through the Davao Regional Development Plan 2017-2022”, expressed by Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang in his message of support to the Plan as delivered by Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Freddie C. Bendulo.

Davao del Sur mayors together with RDC XI Vice-Chairperson and NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim

Deputy Governor John Tracey Cagas delivered Governor Douglas Cagas’ message of support, “The DRDP embodies the dreams of our people for sustainable growth and development. The Plan identifies and recognizes the region’s potentials toward our national goal of inclusive growth. I can assure you that the plans and programs of Davao del Sur are aligned with the DRDP and all its strategies, programs and projects shall all bear the same developmental directions.”

Governor Claude P. Bautista in his message said that “the Plan is very timely as it corroborates the programs of the province which is very essential in the development of Davao Occidental”.

Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte stated that “every program of government is conceived with the objective of providing for its people, ensuring that needs are met and the fundamentals for development are in place which is the principle in the creation of the Davao Regional Development Plan 2017-2022”. She expressed her support to the furtherance of the Plan as the city government and development partners recognize the responsiveness of the Plan to the current and growing needs of the region and its people. She commended the RDC XI with the leadership of Governor Anthony G. del Rosario for aggressively advocating the implementation of the Plan and encouraging local government units and their local development councils to “move towards the same direction” and foster programs, projects and activities, and services anchored in the vision of a matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay.

RDC XI Vice-Chairperson and NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim presents the overview of the Davao Regional Development Plan, 2017-2022.

Regional Development Council XI Vice-Chairperson and NEDA Regional Director Maria Lourdes Lim stressed that the “RDP 2017-2022 is by far the most inclusive and comprehensive development plan that Davaoeños have crafted. It has a firm linkage to and relationship with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), 2017–2022, through its development framework, wherein national and regional societal goals are faithfully aligned”.

The first leg of the roadshow kicked off last December 12, 2018 for the private sector stakeholders. The last leg of the roadshow, which is for the youth sector of the region, shall be on March 9, 2018 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

 (Fely Rabe, NEDA XI – DRD)