ARD Gina T. Gacusan of NEDA Region IV-A motivates participants to aim for a quality plan that will serve its purpose of benefiting the public interests.

NEDA Calabarzon conducted the Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022 Midterm Updating Inter-Planning Committee Workshop on October 10, 2019 at NEDA IV-A Building, Barangay Milagrosa, Calamba City. The validation workshop was participated by 103 officials from regional line agencies, state universities and colleges, local government units (LGUs) and private sector representatives.

Participants of the Calabarzon RDP 2017-2022 Midterm Update Inter-PC Workshop.

By addressing the data gaps on the Results Matrices, checking the consistency of the Plan chapters and firming up the strategic framework, the participants validated the priority development agenda and determined the appropriate strategies to address development challenges for the remaining Plan period.

Among the Calabarzon priority development agenda are the following: a) improve inter and intra-regional connections; b) improve social infrastructure to support the region’s socio-economic growth; c) increase productivity of agriculture and fisheries through value adding; d) increase water supply and advocate water valuation; e) mainstream culture in planning; f) improve health and nutrition situation particularly on addressing HIV, teenage pregnancy and stunting and wasting; g) implement alternatives and innovative solutions in addressing the housing needs; h) push for fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to sustain growth of the industry and services sector; and i) improve competitiveness of LGUs.

Engr. Nelson Singson, Lucena City CPDC, shared his reaction to the output presentation of the Economic Planning Committee.

The draft Calabarzon Updated RDP 2017-2022 is scheduled for Sectoral Committee endorsements on November 5 to 8, 2019 and approval of the RDC Full Council on December 5, 2019.

Lovely S. Mores, NEDA Region IV-A | October 16, 2019