Regional Development Planning and Policy Review/Formulation

   The RDC 5 issued Memo Circular No. 2-2009 that provides for the guidelines on the preparation of the successor regional development plan (2011-2020). The circular states the major documents to be prepared, the activities that will be conducted and the stakeholders who will be involved in planning. Target completion date for the plan document is May 2010.

 

   The Council supported the formulation and implementation of sectoral plans. It adopted the Medium Term Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition. It  supported the Sustainable Tourism Management Plan for Central Philippines and the proposal to formulate the Philippine National Railways master plan.

 

   The RDC pursued its thrust on disaster risk reduction with recommendations:  for DILG and DBM to study a policy to allocate up to 20 percent of local calamity fund for pre-disaster activities; for LGUs to institutionalize disaster management offices;  and for DepEd to insure all schoolbuildings.

 

   It  proposed for COMELEC’s consideration of a semi-automated election system in the light of the issues on a fully automated election system.

   Investment Programming and Budget Review

   The RDC 5 endorsed the CY 2010 Annual Investment Programs (AIPs) of 23 regional agencies to the Department of Budget and Management and the agency central offices. The AIPs of eight state universities and colleges were likewise endorsed to DBM and the Commission on Higher Education.

   Project Development and Evaluation

   Several infrastructure projects were endorsed for funding by the national government or by Official Development Assistance (ODA) agencies. These are: BRBWMP Watershed Management Development (WMD) Component;  Legazpi City Specialized Hospital; DSWD Early Recovery Program;  Legazpi City Central Bus Terminal Project; Bicol International Airport; DPWH Guinobatan Donsol Jovellar Road Project;  26 additional bridges for Tulay ng Pangulo Project;  DA Projects proposed for AECID funding;  Urgent Bridges Construction Project Phase II; the Libmanan - Cabusao Irrigation Project; the Albay Access Road to Donsol, Sorsogon Project; and the Batuhan – Cawayan Interior – Mapiña Farm to Market Road Project in Masbate City. The RDC identified priority projects that were submitted to the Office of the President for funding under the Economic Resiliency Plan. 

 

   The body likewise proposed for the expansion of the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) project in the region and for the inclusion of Bicol’s coastal municipalities in the Movement for Responsible Fisheries (MOREFISH) project.

   Problem Solving on Major Regional Development Projects/Issues

   The RDC-Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) conducted problem solving sessions while on project field visits and during RPMC meetings. From among the projects visited,  ports and the Infrastructure for Rural Productivity Enhancement Sector (InFRES) and Philippine Rural Electrification Service (PRES) subprojects had issues that were subjected to problem-solving sessions in the field. Results including recommendations were presented to the RPMC during meetings. Issues were generally on: right of way, LARP preparation and implementation and the contractor’s capability to implement for InFRES sub projects; refusal of contractors to pay business taxes to LGUs for ports projects;  and refusal of some household beneficiaries to pay for monthly power consumption for PRES sub projects. 

 

   The RPMC attempted to resolve conflicts in reporting of project status of reforestation projects by the DENR and the Bicol River Basin Watershed Management Program Project Management Office (BRBWMP-PMO). These projects were: Tinangis Refo Project,  Curry Refo Project, Curry Agro-Forestry Project and Calabanga Agro-Forestry.

   Technical Assistance to LGUs

   The RDC, through its secretariat, conducted localized monitoring of MDGs in the Bicol region and  assisted the provincial MDG committees in Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. This resulted to updating of database and the preparation of MDG reports. 

 

   The Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) regularly monitored and provided technical assistance to provinces in the preparation of their Provincial Development Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP). As a result, the preparation of draft PDPFPs were facilitated. The PDPFPs of Albay and Camarines Sur were submitted to the NEDA central office for review. 

   Support to the President’s Regional Development Initiatives

   The Council issued RDC Memorandum Circular No. 1-2009 requesting agencies, local government units and state universities and colleges to submit the profile of their  projects and activities that will contribute to the attainment of the objectives of the Economic Resiliency Plan. The consolidated list by ERP objective will be monitored through the regional project monitoring system (RPMES).

   Other Significant Accomplishments that Contributed to Regional Productivity and Growth

   The RDC updated its Manual of Operations. The Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT),  the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) are now regular members of the full council in accordance with  Administrative Order No. 231. The RDC endorsement process was reviewed and improved and was a major revision in the RDC manual of operations.

 

   The body accepted the Regional Gender and Development Council as an affiliate committee.    

 

   A press conference was conducted to disseminate RDC activities and accomplishments. Reports on RDC meetings were submitted Bicolano congressmen and senators for support.