Davao City, March 29, 2023 – The Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao, Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, visited the NEDA Regional Office XI to discuss the possible collaboration between his Office and NEDA Davao.

RD Maria Lourdes Lim initiated the meeting by presenting a briefer on both the mandate and functions of the NEDA as well as the current thrusts and priority activities and programs that NEDA XI has accomplished and currently pursuing. Priority Projects that are currently ongoing in Davao Region were also presented to Secretary Magno for his reference and appreciation.

A briefer on the RDC XI core mandates and functions, including its structure was also discussed during the meeting. It may be recalled that a Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao in the person of Secretary Magno, has been appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr to further streamline the administrative structure of the Office of the President to the eastern Mindanao regions, whose area of responsibility includes the Davao Region. With Secretary Magno’s appointment, and upon the recommendation of the RDC XI Chairperson, Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, the RDC XI, through its Executive Committee (ExCom), particularly through RDC XI ExCom Resolution No. 1, series of 2023, requested the inclusion of the Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao in the membership of the Council to better facilitate Presidential actions on concerns affecting Davao Region.

The meeting was concluded by Secretary Magno’s commitment to support and assist the development initiatives of Eastern Mindanao, which includes the Davao Region, through the establishment of his Office.  – EDS I Jesus Adrian A. Manzo, NEDA XI