CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (March 18, 2026) — Northern Mindanao leaders joined forces to lift more families out of poverty during a series of provincial summits held throughout February 2026

The Regional Development Council in Region 10 (RDC-10) spearheaded the move to align local actions with the national goal of cutting poverty to single-digit levels by 2028. This coordinated drive ensures that every town and province in Northern Mindanao follows a single roadmap to hit the target set under the Philippine Development Plan.

RDC-10 organized the summits with the region’s five provinces and the Office of Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri. The Council’s Resolution No. 107 mobilized government agencies, private sectors, and schools to turn regional policies into actual community benefits.

With the theme “From Plans to People: Advancing Economic Transformation and Poverty Reduction toward a Prosperous, Inclusive, and Resilient Northern Mindanao by 2028,” participants prioritized high-impact projects designed to boost local economies. The sessions focused on making vulnerable communities more resilient through better jobs and direct support.

This strategy links regional efforts to the country’s 2028 poverty reduction goal. By aligning provincial targets, the council hopes to create a faster, more measurable path toward economic stability, as outlined in the Philippine Development Plan.

Leaders from Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental identified specific local needs. They pledged to pool resources and coordinate programs to avoid overlapping services and reach the poorest sectors effectively.

National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Lope B. Santos III, the keynote speaker in all five summits, emphasized the need for a multi-dimensional approach to poverty reduction, including expanded economic opportunities, improved access to quality social services, sustainable resource management, and inclusive governance.

RDC-10 Chairperson and Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal described the initiative as a shift toward results rather than just reports. He stressed that success will be measured by how many lives improve on the ground.

“From Plans to People means turning policies into real, felt outcomes for our communities,” Oaminal said.

Outputs from the summits—including identified development issues, priority interventions, responsible institutions, and resource requirements—will serve as inputs to the Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposals of national government agencies and updates to local development plans. (DEPDev-10/PIA-10)