1. BACKGROUND

During the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Development Planning on 24 February 1998, President Fidel V. Ramos signed Presidential Proclamation No. 1164 declaring the fourth (4th) week of September of every year as Regional Development Council (RDC) Week.

The declaration of RDC Week is in recognition of the efforts of all RDCs nationwide for the development of the regions, as well as, in the overall development thrust of the country.

For CY 2005, RDC Week in Region XII was celebrated on September 19-23. Several activities have been proposed and approved by the RDC XII-ExCom during its meeting on August 24, 2005 in General Santos City to be conducted during the said week-long celebration. The general objective of the 2005 RDC XII Week Celebration is to increase awareness and appreciation among the region's stakeholders on the significant role of RDC XII in regional development.

The following activities were scheduled to be conducted with the corresponding sectoral committee as the main event coordinating group

Date Activity Venue Responsible RDC Committee

Sep. 19 RDC XII Week Opening Program PROTECH Center, Koronadal City MEDAFC/InfraCom
and Launching of the RDC XII Exhibit

Sept. 19-23 RDC XII Regional Exhibit (RDC XII/LGUs) PROTECH Center,Koronadal City InfraCom

Sept. 19-20 Friendship Games
(To be participated in by the Heads of
regional line agencies and LGUs) South Cotabato Gymnasium EDC/RSDC

Sept. 21 Advocacy Symposium on the NDU, Cotabato City MEDAFC
MTP/RDP, 2004- 2010

Sept. 22-23 RDC XII Planners Forum General Santos City MEDAFC
(To be participated in by the planning
officers of regional line agencies,
PPDCs and MPDCs)

Sept. 28 12th RDC XII Meeting and Grand Ficus Hotel and Resort, RDC XII Secretariat
Closing Program of RDC Week Kidapawan City



2. Accomplished Activities

The RDC Week celebration was successfully conducted. All the activities lined up during the celebration were conducted smoothly. The objectives of the activity were met. Out of the nine (9) local government units, only one wasn't able to participate. The most enjoyable activity was the RDC XII Friendship Games. RDC members actively participated in the scheduled games which include volleyball, tug of war , and 400-meter relay.

On the MTPDP Advocacy, all sectors were represented from the academe, business group, non-government organization, and students. The participants listened attentively to the speakers during the presentation of MTPDP, Kilos Asenso. and the MTRDP.

The Regional Development Planners' Forum was participated in by the planning officers of the regional line agencies and local government units. About 83 persons were in attendance to the said forum.


3. HIGHLIGHTS OF EACH RDC XII ACTIVITY

3.1 REGIONAL EXHIBIT

A regional exhibit which showed the development thrusts and priorities of Region XII through the different regional line agencies and local government units (LGUs() was conducted on 19-22 September 2005 at ProTech Center, Koronadal City.

The exhibit was coordinated by the Infrastructure Development Committee (InfraCom) of RDC and this was participated in by twenty one (21) regional line agencies (BFAR, BLGF, CHED, POPCOM, DOLE,DPWH, DOT, DAR, DA, DepEd, DOH, DTI, DENR, DILG, DSWD, DOTC,, EMB, MGB, NIA, TESDA, DOST) and eight (8) LGUs ( Cotabato City, Koronadal City, Kidapawan City, Tacurong City, General Santos City, Cotabato Province South Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat).

The four-day exhibit provided the public (government employees, students, business groups, and other groups and individuals) with basic information about the ongoing initiatives of RDC XII through the line agencies and LGUs.

Adjudged the best five among the twenty-nine (29) exhibitors were the following: DENR, MGB, Kidapawan City, Cotabato Province, and EMB.



3.2 RDC 2005 FRIENDSHIP GAMES

A. The 2005 RDC Friendship Games Opening

The 2005 RDC Friendship Games commenced after the opening of RDC XII Exhibit right after lunch on 19 September 2005. By 2:00 in the afternoon, the motorcade kicked off. The sudden onset of rain did not prevent the participants from going around the city's main thoroughfare which ended up at the South Cotabato Sports Center and Gymnasium.

RDC Chair Daisy P. Avance-Fuentes opened the games with her inspirational talk underscoring that despite the members' tight work schedule; everyone in attendance took a break to participate in the friendship games. RDC Co-Chairsperson Manuel S. Bella administered the oath of sportsmanship and the games begun with Volleyball as the first event.

The second day started with Hataw and was spearheaded by DOH XII. All the participants enjoyed the calisthenics together with RDC Chair Fuentes. As part of its regular activity, agencies could institutionalize the Hataw in their respective agency physical fitness program which DOH XII readily expressed willingness to extend assistance whenever requested.

After the Hataw, the games on Tug-of-War and 400-meter relay followed.


B. Winners

Volleyball Regional Social Development Committee
Tug-of-War Infrastructure Development Committee
400-Meter relay Economic Development Committee


C. Participants

     EDC
     RD Guimadel-DTI
     RED Alid-DA
     RD Musali-DAR
     RED Sampulna-DENR
     RD Saikol-EMB
     PSR DoriaPSR Lebiano

     RSDC
     RD Taha-DSWD
     OIC-ARD Rivera
     OIC-RD Herrera-TESDA
     PD Ampuyas-TESDA
     Dr. Usman-CHEDOIC-
     RNC Latonio-NNC
     PSR Estante
     CPDC DAguro-Koronadal
     E. Roxas-POPCOM
     L.Tejam-DOH

     IDC
     Gov. Fuentes
     SKPSR Bella
     OIC-RM Tolentino-NIA
     ARD Taha-DPWH
     ARD Malambut-LTO
     PSR Hebrona
     PSR Odiaman
     ARD Ramos-NEDA
     F. Camunganan- Kidapawan rep

     MEDAFC
     RD Lim-NEDA
     RD Marohombsar-DBM
     OIC-RD Velasco-BLGF
     PSR Fecundo
     ARD Señoron-DILG
     U. Quinto-Cotabato


3.3 MTPDP/MTRDP ADVOCACY FORUM

The advocacy forum for the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) and the Medium-Term Regional Development Plan (MTRDP) was conducted on September 21, 2005, at 1:30 to 5:15 in the afternoon. It was held at the Tanghalang Michael Clark, Notre Dame University, Cotabato City.

The advocacy forum was one of the activities conducted by the region with regard to the celebration of RDC Week on September 19-23, 2005 pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1164, series of 1998 that declared the 4th week of September of every year as RDC Week.

There were around 102 participants from government agencies, academe, business group, non-government organizations, students and RDC Secretariat that attended the said forum.

The City Government of Cotabato welcomed the participants to the forum by Honorable Mayor Muslimin G. Sema represented by Engr. Adela Fiesta, the Assistant City Planning and Development Coordinator. His message further stated that with the region's quest for support to implement the plan, the academe, specifically the Notre Dame University, could prove to be a good medium for the rational discussion and eventual dissemination of the details of the plan. He said that the final test of the MTRDP's responsiveness to the needs of the regions' stakeholders is in the implementation stage. He then called on to all sectors to support the MTPDP and MTRDP for these were meant to bring the country and Region XII to greater economic growth and development.

Afterwhich, RDC Co-Chairperson Engr. Manuel Bella gave his opening message and he emphasized the value of knowing and understanding the plan and called for support of all sectors to move forward towards the attainment of an improved quality of life.

Assistant Director Benjamin Turiano of the Development Information Staff, NEDA Central Office was the main resource person where he presented the MTPDP in brief and the Kilos Asenso. NEDA XII Regional Director Ma. Lourdes Lim and Vice-Chairperson of RDC XII, on the other hand, presented the MTRDP of Region XII.

During the open forum, the participants raised the following concerns:

1. Given the number of plans being formulated before, Dr. Abed Ayunan of MAPEA inquired of what has been accomplished by this time.

NEDA XII Regional Director Lim explained that the plan has its own targets, strategies and resources responsive for a given timeframe. Eventhough Region XII is the most reconfigured region, way back in 1978 up to the issuance of EO 36 in September 2001, still all sectors developed a better performance year after year. The agriculture, fishery and forestry sector remains to be the potential contributor of the region's economy supported by the industry and services sector.

2. Ms. Ma. Theresa Llano of the Notre Dame University inquired on whether job opportunities for a given period have been stated in the plan. This would guide the academe on what courses to offer and be prioritized and be given most attention. It would also guide the students on what courses to take in order not to remain jobless after graduation.

Assistant Director Turiano emphasized that based on the 1997 statistics, the highest increase in the number of enrollees were on courses leading to priesthood and second on criminology. Job opportunities within the plan period could be based on the identified industries and investments that will flourish, as well as, priorities and projects that shall be put in place within the plan period. And these are stated in the plan.

3. Fr. Eduardo Tanudtanud, President of the Notre Dame University (NDU), on the other hand, cited that highest rate of enrollees in NDU is BSNursing, which was not given priority in the plan.

AD Turiano answered that he understands why students and even parents prefer such courses on nursing because of their chances of being employed abroad. He said that the academe should take on this challenge by way of incorporating knowledge on entrepreneurship in the curriculum to prepare students for ready employment after graduation.

4. Once again, Fr. Tanudtanud raised the issue of leadership in governance and how to translate it to the local level.

AD Turiano responded that NEDA is trying to separate politics and economy. In reality political crisis always affects economy, but then Philippine economy is coping up. Electorate should be educated to vote for uncorrupt leaders.

5. Bai Soraya Meditar of EMB XII inquired on how to advocate the plan effectively given the constraint in budget.

AD Turiano explained the importance of budget for advocacy purposes. But with the fiscal status of the government, information officers can be creative and innovative, making use of popular personalities, fiesta activities, schools and students in advocating the plan.

6. Mr. Iskak Paguital of the MAPEA shared how Malaysian economy improved and the educational system (job opportunities vis-a-vis courses offered) they're using.

AD Turiano concurred with Mr. Paguital that Malaysian government is economically stable and they even implemented no price hike in their locality amidst global oil price increase. Through years, the framework used by the government in the plan formulation is the same. But the country's development relies mainly in the implementation of programs and projects identified in the plan.

7. Ms. Herlita Caraan of NSCB XII raised the concern on the declining sense of nationalism of Filipinos as indicated by their preference to work abroad.

AD Turiano responded that Filipinos abroad remain to be a Filipino. They work abroad to earn more for their families in the country.

In closing, Fr. Tanudtanud emphasized the need for a unified vision thru which all sectors would put their efforts in order to achieve the development goals and the government's 10-point agenda. He ended his message by sharing the fable of the animal community who worked together to reach the place what they called paradise. In the same manner, Filipinos can attain their shared vision by using their talents and available resources.

3.4 REGION XII DEVELOPMENT PLANNERS' FORUM

Rationale

The Regional Development Council (RDC) XII Executive Committee (ExCom) through Resolution No. 57, series of 2005, approved the conduct of the RDC XII Week Celebration on 19-23 September 2005. One of the activities held was the Region XII Development Planners' Forum on 22-23 September 2005 at Family Country Hotel and Convention Centre, General Santos City. Relatedly, the conduct of said Forum was approved through RDC XII Resolution No. 10, series of 2004, and at the same time, included in the Council's CY 2005 Work Program.

Participants

A total of 83 persons representing the Local Government Units (LGUs), Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), as well as, Private Sector Organizations (PSOs) gathered for the 2-day activity. The LGU participants consisted of the Provincial / City / Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators (P/C/MPDCs); while those attending from the RLAs and SUCs were key planning officers. Also, two (2) Private Sector Representatives (PSRs) to RDC XII were able to join the Forum.

Purpose

The Forum provided the venue for the regional and local planners to be updated and oriented on the latest concepts, tools and techniques with the end view of not only strengthening the planning process in the region but likewise allowed the planners to further appreciate their critical roles in the local and national, as well.

Preliminaries

During the opening program, the City Mayor of General Santos, Honorable Pedro B. Acharon, Jr., welcomed and extended to everyone his "Magandang GenSan" greetings. He reminded the planners to seriously take into account the importance of integrating efforts, particularly between and among the regional and local planning entities, inorder to make Region XII domestically and globally competitive. The Mayor stressed that now is the time to make the LGUs complimentary and not compete and destroy each other's weaknesses. He also mentioned that since Region XII, particularly GenSan, is the country's frontier to Southeast Asia and BIMP-EAGA, the LGU is implementing and supporting various programs to maintain this existing comparative advantage. In closing, he reminded the planners that before developing the abundant resources found in Region XII, wholistic and serious planning should come first.


Keynote Speech

NEDA Regional Development Office (RDO) OIC-Deputy Director-General (DDG) Marcelina E. Bacani delivered the keynote message during the Forum. In her speech, OIC-DDG Bacani congratulated the region and its leaders for holding this activity given due emphasis because of the RDC Week Celebration. She said that attending regional activities, like this one, is important NEDA Central Office-based officials because it would enable them to personally touch base with the local level. The DDG then proceeded to provide the rationale on the creation of the RDC through the issuance of Presidential Decree 702 in 1972. She said that the Council acts as a mini NEDA Board, therefore making it the highest-policy making body in the region. DDG Bacani underscored that the existence of RDC is the vital linkage between the national and local levels to ensure the consistency of area-based development undertakings with the national development agenda. Since the establishment of the Council in 11 regions 33 years ago, DDG Bacani said that the Council is confronting similar concerns but with different dimensions; and inorder to address the issues, the government has shifted strategies. She elaborated that the change in the government's perspective on resolving issues was enriched through experiences in planning over the course of time. Thus, she stated that introduction of practices like the inclusion of private sector comprising 25 percent of RDC membership was in cognizance of improving public-private sector partnership for the country's development. DDG Bacani likewise took notice of the efforts undertaken by the new breed of local chief executives in their respective areas and was optimistic that more things could be accomplished at the LGU level even without the assistance of the national government.

In directly relating her message to the objectives of the Forum, the DDG stressed that regional and local planning has to be pursued in totality; meaning sustainable economic growth and poverty alleviation should be pursued hand in hand. Although, DDG Bacani admitted that this was easier said than done, she said that pursuing this approach is important inorder to achieve the Philippines' commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The DDG maintained that aside from improving the human condition and welfare of the Filipinos, the challenge for regional and local planners alike is achieving equality in all aspects of development by capitalizing on Region XII's comparative advantage on agri-business, marine produce, as well as, culture-based Halal products. She informed the participants that there is a billion-dollar market for Halal-certified products in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The DDG also mentioned milestones and measures aimed at supporting the RDC, as well as, current NEDA initiatives in local and regional planning. Among these were: a) Memorandum Circular 54 which was issued to strengthen the RDB Budget Review Process; b) Executive Order 453 that created the Consultative Commission for the 1987 Constitution and identified the Council as the venue on Regional Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Constitution; c) inclusion full chapters on peace in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP); d) creation of the Regional Development Committee (RDCom) under the NEDA Board; e) continuing Technical Assistance Programs for Local Planners; f) availability of Project Development Assistance Center (PDAC) and Project Development Monitoring Fund (PDMF) facilities for LGUs; g) the National Framework for Physical Planning (NFPP) and draft National Land Use Act (NALUA) that institutionalizes Land Use at all levels.

Presentations

Presentations from different Resource Speakers served as inputs in the afternoon session of Day 1.

The first presentation was about the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP), 2004-2010 which was handled by NEDA Development Information Staff Assistant Director Benjamin A. Turiano. He also presented the "Kilos Asenso" or the action for progress program that would harness time, talent and treasure in the communities where the people live with the objective of improving life in their own communities; and, eventually contribute to the accomplishment of the Ten-Point Agenda contained in the MTPDP.

RDC XII Vice-Chairperson and NEDA XII Regional Director, Hadja Sittie Mariam (Ma. Lourdes) D. Lim, presented the Regional Thrusts and Priorities as contained in the Medium-Term Regional Development Plan (MTRDP), 2004-2010. The RDC Vice-Chair's presentation included the brief profile about the region, the development vision, and five plan strategies of economic growth and job generation; energy independence and savings; social justice and basic needs; education and youth opportunity; and, good governance.

Dr. Arturo G. Corpuz of Ayala Land, Incorporated and member of the RDCom lectured about economic development analysis. He explained the steps and processes; analytical approaches and tools that could aid the planners in preparing situation analyses and strategies. Dr. Corpuz also gave the outline of how to proceed in doing shift-share / mix and share analysis inorder to determine where an area or LGU could specialize.

The Regional Director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII, Buagas A. Sulaik, provided the fourth input for the afternoon session. Director Sulaik's presentation focused on the role of local development planners with emphasis on the current initiatives by his Department in empowering the barangays. He shared that mobilizing the barangays would through community empowerment would decrease the concerns/problems that would be acted upon by the upper echelons of governance. At the barangay level, the Chairman will be acting as the manager who shall be supported by various task forces inorder to resolve issues at the grassroots. He stated that only the unresolved concerns will be elevated to the Municipal / City Development Councils (M/CDCs).

The last presentation which delved on the Guidelines on the Preparation of Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) was given by Nora Diaz, head of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLRB) - Field Operations Support Group (FOSG). She enlightened the participants, particularly the LGUs, on the status of CLUP, as well as, the Provincial Physical Framework Plan (PPFP).

Workshops

The second day was devoted to two (2) workshop sessions. The first workshop, done through sectoral and area-based groupings, focused on the identification of issues, concerns and recommendations on plan and policy formulation; investment programming; budgeting; plan implementation; and, monitoring and evaluation. Workshop 1 was a pre-requisite to workshop 2 wherein the participants were group into the regional and local planners inorder to formulate an Action Plan for the spelled-out recommendations. During the action planning, the details about the time frame, responsible centers, budgetary requirements, and source of funds were likewise identified.

Issues and Concerns for RDC Action

1. Plan and Policy Formulation
Consider in the Rationalization Plan for the Creation of Planning Officers in the Regional Offices
Request all agencies / SUCs to designate permanent and alternate planning officer
Endorse the Organization of the Region XII Planners Network
All agencies to Comply with e-governance and put up their websites so that report can be accessed

2. Budgeting
Urge Agency Central Offices (ACOs) to release regional budget ceilings consistent with DBM Budget Calendar


3. Plan Implementation
RDC to monitor PPAs of uniformed personnel
DBM should discourage project realignment, except in cases of force majeur

4. Monitoring and Evaluation
RDC to ensure that all RLAs / LGUs adopt the RPMES
RPMC to monitor the functionality of LPMCs

5. Cross-cutting Concerns
RDC to lobby for the decentralization on the release of funds to Agency Regional Offices
Require Area Project Offices of ODA-funded projects to submit annual programming of PPAs to RDC

Planners' Organization

Towards the closing of the 2-day activity, the participants agreed to form the regional and local planners organization. By end of October 2005, Engr. Nael D. Cruspero shall convene the core group composed of the City/Provincial Planning and Development Coordinators of North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, General Santos City and Cotabato City to discuss the purpose of formally creating the Planners' Organization of Region XII.

Closing Remarks

In her closing message, RDC XII Vice-Chairperson Lim lauded the idea of organizing the planners of the region. She said that there is a need to professionalize the planning profession among the local government practitioners and their counterparts in the line agencies. Director Lim expressed optimism that the activity for the past two days have inspired the planners to work together for the accelerated development of Region XII.


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The Regional Development Council (RDC) conducted its 12th Regular Meeting on 28 September 2005 at Grand Ficus Hotel and Restaurant in Kidapawan City, with the Provincial Government of Cotabato hosting said meeting. In behalf of Governor Emmanuel F. Piñol, who attended the League of Provincial Governors Assembly in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, the Provincial Administrator, Honorable Benardo F. Piñol, Jr., welcomed the Council and its members to the Province. PA Piñol expressed his appreciation to RDC XII, particularly in conducting its meetings in the various places of region. He said that this approach gives the Council an opportunity to look at the problems of each LGUs and immediately initiate actions to address the various issues and concerns at the local level.

During this meeting presided over by the RDC XII Chairperson, Honorable Governor Daisy P. Avance-Fuentes, a total of 22 resolutions were passed. Among the major issues tackled during this meeting were: Conduct of the Council's Strategic Organizational Review in Compliance to Executive Order 366; Supporting the Conduct of Regional Tourism Summit in December 2005; and, Requesting the National Government to Extend Financial and Technical Support to the Tuna Industry.

In the same manner, several sectoral concerns were discussed by RDC XII. Measures such as protection for children against violence in the cyberspace, as well as, requesting the national government to include in the budget of the National Statistics Office (NSO) the mid-decade census of population were deliberated and adopted/endorsedby the Council.

With regard to the Regional Tourism Summit proposed by Honorable Pedro B. Acharon, Jr., Mayor of General Santos, the RDC XII Secretariat shall take the lead in facilitating the said activity. The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region XII, together with NEDA XII and the concerned local government units, shall work on designing a brochure showcasing the various spots of Region XII for distribution to prospective tourists. In line with developing tourism in Region XII, RDC XII requested DOT XII to apprise the LGUs about the various potentials and/or rationalization plan for tourist spots in the area, as well as, provide technical assistance in terms of the appropriate development options for these destinations in each locality.

The meeting was also the venue to award the trophies to the winners of the RDC XII Week Friendship Games conducted on September 19-20, 2005 at the South Cotabato Sports Complex. The 2-day Friendship games was participated in by the members of the four (4) RDC XII Sectoral Committees, namely: InfraCom, MEDAFC, EDC, RSDC. The RDC XII Chairperson Fuentes likewise led the awarding for the best booth in the exhibit of regional line agency and local government unit program thrusts and development priorities held at the ProTech Center, Koronadal City from 19-22 September 2005.

 

The Regional Development Council of Region XII (RDC XII) shall be spearheading a Regional Tourism Summit in December 2005 in General Santos City. To strengthen the tourism industry in the region, the Summit intends to gather representatives from various private and public institutions such as hotel and transport operators, travel agencies, local government units, national government agencies and other entities engaged in tourism-related industries.

The tourism industry is considered as an influencing factor in reducing poverty by providing employment opportunities through the promotion of local tourism. Developing the tourism industry in a sustainable manner could stir economic activities and propel economic growth in the region. RDC XII now pursues a more aggressive and focused marketing and promotion of tourism development activities, through its tourism arm, the Department of Tourism XII, to strengthen the tourism industry in the region. More competitive products and services need to be offered to attract more visitors and increase income for the products and services of Region XII.

The Summit aims to assess the current situation of the region’s tourism industry and to determine the range of business opportunities for tourism in the region. There will be plenary sessions and workshops to discuss tourism industry trends and to identify action agenda to take full advantage of opportunities for tourism in the region given the increases in global travel and tourism.
 

"I would like to state our (NEDA Management) unwavering support for the RDCs." This was the main message of NEDA Regional Development Office OIC-Deputy Director-General Marcelina E. Bacani when she delivered her keynote speech for the Region XII Development Planners' Forum on 22-23 September 2005 held at the Family Country Hotel and Convention Centre in General Santos City. The Forum was the highlight of the celebration of RDC XII Week for the Year 2005.

DDG Bacani congratulated the region and its leaders for holding this activity given due emphasis because of the RDC Week Celebration. She said that attending regional activities, like this one, is important NEDA Central Office-based officials because it would enable them to personally touch base with the local level. She underscored that the existence of RDC is the vital linkage between the national and local levels to ensure the consistency of area-based development undertakings with the national development agenda. Since the establishment of the Council in 11 regions 33 years ago, DDG Bacani said that the Council is confronting similar concerns but with different dimensions; and inorder to address the issues, the government has shifted strategies. She elaborated that the change in the government's perspective on resolving issues was enriched through experiences in planning over the course of time. Thus, she stated that introduction of practices like the inclusion of private sector comprising 25 percent of RDC membership was in cognizance of improving public-private sector partnership for the country's development. She likewise took notice of the efforts undertaken by the new breed of local chief executives in their respective areas and was optimistic that more things could be accomplished at the LGU level even without the assistance of the national government.

The DDG also mentioned milestones and measures aimed at supporting the RDC, as well as, current NEDA initiatives in local and regional planning. Among these were: a) Memorandum Circular 54 which was issued to strengthen the RDB Budget Review Process; b) Executive Order 453 that created the Consultative Commission for the 1987 Constitution and identified the Council as the venue on Regional Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Constitution; c) inclusion full chapters on peace in the Medium-Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP); d) creation of the Regional Development Committee (RDCom) under the NEDA Board; e) continuing Technical Assistance Programs for Local Planners; f) availability of Project Development Assistance Center (PDAC) and Project Development Monitoring Fund (PDMF) facilities for LGUs; g) the National Framework for Physical Planning (NFPP) and draft National Land Use Act (NALUA) that institutionalizes Land Use at all levels.

In concluding her speech she said that planners have wide latitude to influence the course of development. "Our exposure to various issues and information allows us to determine the most strategic interventions to meet certain objectives. Let us use this advantage to help bring about progress in our region and localities to contribute to over-all national development."
 

Working faster on near-term and feasible measures against the threat of a power crisis, the Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee (ICC-CC) gave its nod to three power transmission efficiency projects of the National Transmission Corporation (TransCo) in Visayas and Mindanao.

One of the approved projects is the P1.1-billion 138 kV General Santos-Tacurong-Transmission Line, which will expand power substations and replace old wood pole-supported single circuit 138 kV line in the area.

“This project would ensure power system stability and reliability in Southwestern Mindanao, considering that the old existing system has already reached its economic life, thus a candidate for improvement,” said Jonathan L. Uy, Director of the National Economic and Development Authority’s (NEDA) Public Investment Staff.

Aside from providing higher power transfer capacity between the substations as well as access to future base load plants in General Santos City and Sultan Kudarat in the Mindanao Grid, Uy added that the project was compliant with the National Grid Code (NGC).

ICC documents show that the project will be financed under the Miyazawa Fund. P882.88 million will be funded from loan proceeds while P204.70 million will be the Philippine government counterpart.

The Miyazawa Fund is a bilateral assistance provided by the government of Japan to cover trade financing, financing for the manufacturing sector, assistance for structural reforms and for social safety net. It is a support package provided for Asian countries affected by the currency crisis, which started in July 1997, in overcoming their economic difficulties and to contribute to the stability of international financial markets.

The second project approved by the ICC is the P1.1 billion-worth Sangali-Pitogo 138kV Transmission Line. It aims to strengthen the Mindanao grid in preparation for the project demand increase in the region, which was expected to have increased by 6-8 percent in 1998-2000 and by 11 percent in 2000-2010.

The project, which is expected to be completed in December 2006, involves the construction of a 32 km, 138kV double circuit steel pole transmission line from Sangali substation to the Zamboanga City load center at Pitogo. It also aims to expand the Sangali substation and the Lunzuran switching station and establish a new Pitogo substation. The project will be financed through Miyazawa and Calyon funds.

Finally, all Samar-based customers can look forward to a robust electricity highway with the P865.5 million-worth Wright-Calbayog 138 kV Transmission Line Project, which complements future generation projects envisioned in the area for the next decade.

The third project, as ICC documents show, is capable of ferrying power safely and is crucial to the full implementation of the Open Access Transmission Service (OATS) and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

“This is a priority TransCo project that was approved by the Board under the 2004 Transmission Development Program (TDP). It is part of the Visayas Island Transmission Augmentation Program (Project VISTA),” Uy stressed.

He added that while Eastern Visayas has been exporting power to Luzon and the Visayas using steel towers, the transmission lines in the region, particularly in Samar Island, are still using wood pole structures, most of which are already rotten and dilapidated resulting in frequent power interruptions.

Project evaluation report shows that the major causes of power outages in the area are brought about by the unreliability of the region’s 69 kV transmission lines (i.e., transient line fault, broken/toppled wood pole structure, cut-off OHGW/Guy wire, burnt/broken crossarms, broken/damaged insulators, etc.).

The project is expected to increase the region’s power transfer capacity by installing 138 kV overhead transmission line together with a run of 24-count fiber optic cable overhead ground wire.

The project will also be financed under the Miyazawa fund and is expected to be completed in March 2008.

Meanwhile, TransCo President Alan Ortiz stressed the potential that the newly approved infrastructures could offer. “These transmission projects will pave the way for the sustainable economic development specifically in Zamboanga City with its special economic zone in San Ramon District and in General Santos City through its bustling tuna and agro-business industries,” Ortiz said.

With a consistent effort to conserve energy, the government continues to promote its policy of shoring up more investments in renewable and indigenous energy projects to bring down costs for consumers and prop the country’s bid for energy independence.

Providing electricity to barangays in the entire country is one of the 10-point development agenda of the Arroyo Administration.

The RDC XII Executive Committee (ExCom) endorsed the General Santos - Tacurong 138 kV Transmission Line Project through ExCom Resolution No. 63, series of 2005. Said resolution was passed on 24 August 2005 at Sydney Hotel, General Santos City.


Featured news at www.neda.gov.ph (23 September 2005)

 

A promising tourist destination, Maitum, Sarangani Province; is gearing up for the preparation of its Eco-Tourism Master Plan, with the support of the Project Development and Monitoring Fund (PDMF).

The PDMF is a facility funded from the proceeds of loans and grants from foreign institutions as prescribed by Republic Act (RA) 8182 or the Official Development Assistance (ODA) Act. It is administered by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

NEDA XII Regional Director and concurrent PDMF Project Director Hadja Sittie Mariam D. Lim, during a preliminary meeting held on 20 July 2005, with the Local Government Unit of Maitum, gladly informed the municipal government officials that the NEDA has approved the grant of P700,000.00 for the preparation of the Maitum Eco-Tourism Master Plan.

She further stressed that given the rich tourism and development potentials of the area, the PDMF grant is just the first step towards developing Maitum as a local tourist destination. Once a Master Plan is in place, government and the private sector, could readily identify the various investments opportunities in the area.

Hon. George Y. Yabes, the Municipal Mayor of Maitum, was elated over the assistance to the LGU but quickly expressed the Municipality's need for assistance from the NEDA Regional Office, given the technical nature of the undertaking. He admitted that this would be the first time for LGU-Maitum to implement such a project.

After the meeting, Mayor Yabes personally brought the NEDA Team to the Bat Sanctuary in Barangay Pinol which is one of the major tourist drawers of the LGU. The NEDA XII staff likewise experienced a 1.6 kilometer white-water tubing in Pangi River in Barangay New La Union. The rapids is another come on for the adventure-seeking tourists.

The Municipal Government of Maitum is preparing the terms of reference and Sangguniang resolutions for the implementation of the said project.