INTRODUCTION

   During the first six months of CY 2006, RDC 5 was headed by Gov. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte, Jr., RDC 5 chairman for 2004-2007 The Regional Development Council (RDC) 5, with the leadership of Chairman Governor Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte, Jr. of Camarines Sur, and Co-chairman Dr. Jose S. Estevez (a private sector representative), had notable accomplishments in CY 2006.  Its secretariat,  led by NEDA 5 Regional Director Atty. Romeo C. Escandor, initiated key changes in the conduct of meetings and other areas of operations leading to a more effective performance of the council's functions.

 

   There was greater participation of the sectoral committees.  Agenda items in RDC full council meetings were discussed,  refined and endorsed by the sectoral committees to the full council with recommended action(s). 

 

   The RDC undertook strategic activities in the areas of:  regional development planning;  investment programming and budget review;  project evaluation; problem solving on regional development issues;  technical assistance to local government units;  and support to President's regional development initiatives.

 

   The Council had four regular meetings and one special meeting (Annex A).  The special meeting was conducted for the review and endorsement of  regional agency budget proposals.  A total of 88 resolutions was passed, 21 of which endorsed the budget proposals of agencies and state universities and colleges. Please refer to annex B for the list of resolutions and the status of each.

   regional development planning and policy review and formulation

   The Regional Physical Framework Plan (RPFP) was approved and currently being printed for dissemination. Said document is intended to guide the formulation of local physical plans and the Medium-term Regional Development Plan (MTRDP). 

 

   Among the policy papers where the RDC provided inputs to were:  making the National Land Use Committee into a NEDA Board Committee;  the integration of physical planning in provincial planning;  and the Biofuels Act of 2006 (Senate Bill 2226).

 

   The RDC also endorsed the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC) as the Regional Center for Apiculture in the Bicol Region.

   investment programming and budget review

   Prior to the preparation of agency budget proposals for FY 2007,  the RDC required line agencies and state universities and colleges (SUCs) to submit their Annual Investment Plan (AIP) for FY 2007, with the Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP) as basis. Twenty-four AIPs were endorsed to their respective agency central offices and, for SUC AIPs, to the DBM regional office. In anticipation of the budget exercise, the RDC requested for increase in the budgets of the Environment Management Bureau (EMB), the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB),  the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA) and the Regional Development Council (RDC).  

 

   Subsequently, the RDC endorsed 24 agency and SUC budget proposals.  RDC officials participated in the dialogue among the RDCs and agency central offices for the FY 2007 Budget.  One of the agreements in the said dialogue was the adoption of the convergence approach to program/project implementation, particularly on cost-sharing between the national government and local government units. The agencies involved are the Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

 

   The secretariat prepared the draft guidelines for the Comprehensive Investment Programming (CIPG) and for updating of the Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP), subject to the council's approval. These guidelines are intended to rationalize the investment programming process such that priority capital-forming P/Ps get funded and implemented.

 

   With the creation of super regions, the Bicol Region became a part of the Central Philippines area which is the tourism center of the country.  The RDC participated in workshops for the formulation of the Central Philippines Investment Program (CPIP). DOT Secretary Durano, the Central Philippines development champion,  attended the RDC meeting on 26 September and presented the Bicol component of the CPIP, highlighting the priority projects in Bicol with assured funding. These are the Bicol International Airport in Alobo, Daraga, Albay, Aroroy Port, Pantao Port, Esperanza Port, Boca Engano Port, Southrail Project and Access Roads to RORO Ports.  In the said meeting, the RDC passed a resolution changing the Southern Luzon International Airport in Alobo, Daraga, Albay to Bicol International Airport. 

 

   The RDC endorsed priority projects for national funding or for ICC approval.  These are:  the Port Delineation Plan of Tandoc Port, Siruma, Camarines Sur and of Caramoan Port in Guijalo, Caramoan, Camarines Sur, ARCP, ARISP II; and  the prioritization of packages in the Catanduanes Circumferential Road Improvement Project under the 27th Yen loan package.

 

   Orientation on Official Development Assistance (ODA) for LGUs was conducted in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Sorsogon. Orientation for Catanduanes LGU is yet to be held.  Masbate has not confirmed its interest to hold one in the province.

   project development and evaluation

   The Bicol River Basin Watershed Management Project document was completed with the assistance of the Secretariat to the DENR technical working group. The project was endorsed to the NEDA-Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), through RDC Resolution No. 05-40 series of 2006. 

 

   The RDC created the Bicol Project Development Committee (BPDC), through RDC Resolution No. 05-06 series of 2006, to facilitate the process taken by the proposed project towards project implementation.  It is chaired by the RDC chairman/co-chairman with sectoral committee chairmen, regional directors of NEDA, DBM, DILG and RDC private sector representatives as members.  The committee held two meetings where possible project proposals for facilitation by the committee were discussed.

 

   The Council reviewed and endorsed several projects with Bicol components for nationwide implementation.  Among these are:  inclusion of three national irrigation systems under the Participatory Irrigation Development Project;   improvement of  the Libmanan and Ragay Water Supply Systems  for inclusion in the Kredinstal Fur Weideraubau Credit Loan Package;  the Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support III;  the Second Agrarian Reform Communities Project;  the Philippine Rural Electrification Service Project; and the DPWH Bridge Construction/Replacement Project.

   support to President's regional development initiatives

   In support to the President's development initiatives,  the RDC supported and lobbied for the Southrail Project, Pantao Port development, Bicol International Airport, and poverty alleviation efforts.

    RDC 5, through its officials, have actively participated in interregional committees where regional priorities were presented and supported.  These committees are:  the Luzon Area Development Coordination Committee (LADCC); the NEDA Regional Development Committee (RDCom);  the Central Philippines Super Region;  and the Federation of Regional Development Councils. 

   technical assistance to local government units  

   The Regional Project Monitoring Council (RPMC) conducted orientation meetings in various local government units. All provinces have organized Provincial Project Monitoring Councils, which facilitates the generation of monitoring reports from the LGUs. 

 

   Recognizing the need to institute a scheme that will systematically asses the local government units' performance covering several areas/sectoral concerns, the RDC enjoined LGUs to adopt the Local Governance Performance Management System (LGPMS). With the system in place, the areas that need to be improved by the LGU in terms of service delivery and public governance can be addressed.

   problem solving on regional development issues

   Several pressing issues brought to the RDC for resolution were sufficiently addressed, namely:  requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to facilitate the immediate implementation of the rehabilitation of Agus Bridge, Polangui, Albay;  directed the DPWH to observe the collaborative project reporting mechanism;  requested the Department of Energy (DOE) to restore the power barge in Masbate Province;  and requested same agency to establish a regional office in Bicol.  Rehabilitation work on the Agus Bridge was satisfactorily completed and electricity was immediately restored in Masbate.  On the request for a DOE regional office in Bicol, a letter from Secretary Lotilla stated that Bicol can be served by the Manila or Visayas offices, whichever is convenient for the Bicolanos. 

 

   The Council approved the DA-DENR-DAR Convergence Initiative Towards Sustainable Development, as a strategic approach to agribusiness development and job creation.

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