The NEDA Regional Office (NRO) No. XII conducted its 2009 Internal Planning Conference cum Teambuilding on February 18-20, 2009 at Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City with the theme “Hawak Kamay, Magkasama sa Tagumpay, Tatak ng NEDAng Tunay.” The conference was the fourth in a series of activities designed to assess the NRO’s accomplishments for the past year and chart its directions for 2009. The Davao event was focused on improving and strengthening the interpersonal relationship and teamwork among the 44 NRO XII personnel, as well as, on enhancing work systems and procedures to ensure the effective and efficient implementation of its work program for 2009. The conduct of the conference was also timely, with the NRO in a period of transition as it prepares to comply with the challenging mandate of moving to the new Regional Center in Koronadal City.

The enriching teambuilding session was handled by an external facilitator in the person of Ms. Maria Ida “Deng” L. Guiguiento, Project Officer on Capacity Building for Peace of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Philippine Program. The NRO XII staff surged from the experience, with a fresh vision of a stronger and more united NRO, working in harmony with its partners and stakeholders, as a prime mover for peace and development in Region XII. Everyone enjoyed and left Davao City in high spirits, all geared up to face the challenges ahead. (Janice May A. Cerezo, KMD)