RATIONALE

• The meeting was presided by the newly elected NB-RDCom Luzon Representative Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte, Jr. of RDC 5. Twelve (12) officials attended the meeting: two (2) RDC Chairmen, six (6) Vice-Chairpersons, two (2) MMDA officials and two (2) representatives from their respective RDCs. Confirmation of the following Resolutions passed during the RDCom Luzon Conference last 3 March 2005 at Robbinsdale Hotel, Quezon City was done:

• RDCom Luzon Area Res. No. 1 s. 2005 “AMENDING EO 257 TO INCLUDE IN THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (RDCOM) CIVIL SOCIETY REPRESENTATIVES AS CO-CHAIRS IN THE LUZON, VISAYAS AND MINDANAO AREAS;”

• RDCom Luzon Area Res. No. 2 s. 2005 “REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUND OF THREE MILLION PESOS FOR EACH OF THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS IN THE COUNTRY;” and

• RDCom Luzon Area Res. No. 3 s. 2005 “REQUESTING THE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO AUGMENT THE BUDGET OF THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS (RDCs) FOR FY 2006.”

• RD Remigio A. Mercado, Vice-Chairperson of RDC III, requested the support of the Committee on the development of McArthur Highway, being the alternate route of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx). With the increase in tollway charges, which average to 400% from the current rate, it is anticipated that there will be shift in some of the traffic to McArthur Highway which may eventually result to severe traffic congestion, increased pedestrian/vehicular accidents and protection/maintenance cost. MMDA Asst. General Manager for Planning Corazon Cruz likewise presented the McArthur Highway Development as component of the Metro Manila Integrated Infra Plan. It was agreed upon that in the development/rehabilitation of the McArthur Highway, all the critical areas especially the major towns and thoroughfares would be prioritized and that mayors and governors of these critical areas would be enjoined to secure the road right of way and clear the obstructions in the highway while waiting for the source of fund.

The agreements reached during the meeting were as follows:

• To consider putting up toilets (both for males and females) especially in congested areas like terminals to be maintained thru minimal user’s fees;

• Passed a resolution strongly endorsing, pushing and aggressively lobbying the widening and rehabilitation of McArthur Highway as a priority road for development by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH);

• To draft a covenant to be signed by LADCC members establishing basic principles and fundamentals to be followed as a guide in prioritizing/deciding for development concerns/projects in order to focus resources effectively. National Government funds to be focused more on major projects instead of splitting it for local concerns;

• Passed a resolution considering a regular format for meeting procedure and apportioning a 10-minute allocation for each Luzon Region to present regional issues and concerns during LADCC meetings.  In the absence of critical issue/concerns to be discussed, the time allocated shall be waived in favor of another region;

• To submit issue paper to the Secretariat before the scheduled LADCC meeting and for other regions to provide comments/inputs within three (3) days upon receipt of the paper furnished by the Secretariat;

• To conduct a visioning session, where all the activities of the LADCC and matters to be discussed should be related/aligned to that shared vision of development for Luzon;

• Need to allocate more time for substantive discussions of agenda items in succeeding LADCC meetings.