Sunday, November 17, 2024

RDC-X approves 159 resolutions for reg’l development in 2023

Published on: December 20, 2023
By Apipa Bagumbaran

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — The Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao (RDC-X) ended the year on a high note by endorsing 36 resolutions during its 136th Full Council Meeting, on December 15, leaving a legacy of having passed 159 action resolutions in 2023

Being the highest policy-making body in the region, RDC-X approved the 2023 Northern Mindanao Preliminary Regional Development Report (RDR) and Priority Action Areas; the Regional Guidelines for the Preparation of the 2025 Regional Budget Proposals of Agency Regional Offices, State Universities and Colleges, Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations, and Other Government Instrumentalities; Formulation of the 2025 Annual Investment Program and Updating of the Regional Development Investment Program 2023-2028; RDC-X Priority Development Thrusts, Work and Financial Plan, and Calendar of Activities for 2024; and the implementation of the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System.

Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño, RDC-X vice chairperson and NEDA-X regional director, said the results of the initial assessment of the RDP 2023-2028 obtained from the 2023 Preliminary RDR play a pivotal role as the foundation and point of reference for the identification of priority programs, projects and activities for the 2025 budget exercise, thus strengthening the planning, investment programming, and budgeting process.

For infrastructure-related development, RDC-X approved resolutions pertaining to the Pang-Agraryong Tulay para sa Bagong Bayanihan ng mga Magsasaka (PBBM) Bridges Project; the request to the Department of Public Works and Highways Central Office to fund the repair of the damaged road along Gingoog City-Claveria-Villanueva Road in Barangay Lanise, Claveria, Misamis Oriental under its 2024 Savings; endorsement of the Maridagao (Kadingilan) Irrigation Project to the National Irrigation Administration Central Office; request to private sector companies to include programs and projects for water security in their corporate social responsibility; enjoining the provincial and highly urbanized cities in Region X to create an Integrated Water Security Council and formulate their respective Integrated Water Security Plan; request the Office of the President to revisit Executive Order 138 series 2021, particularly on the devolution of Communal Irrigation Systems to the local government units; and the conduct of Transportation Summit in 2024 in Cagayan de Oro City, among others.

For economic-related development, the council approved the reactivation of the Regional Industry Cluster Support Group and endorsed the feasibility study for the Metropolitan Food and Agri-based Products Cluster for Northern Mindanao, the proposed three-year time extension of the project Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT), and the proposed three-year extension and change in scope of the Rural Agro- Enterprise Partnership For Inclusive Development And Growth (RAPID Growth) Project. RDC-X also supported the resolution for safeguarding the protected areas and forestlands in the region as well as the resolution securing the long-term sustainability of multi-functional landscape in critical river basins of the country.

Moreover, the council supported the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action 2023-2028, the government’s overall blueprint for managing the country’s demographic situations and addressing interrelated population and development issues in support of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028. It also backed the proposed amendments to Executive Order No. 325 (s. 1996) or the “Reorganization of the Regional Development Councils”, the establishment of Northern Mindanao Regional Blood Center, and House Bill 9420 which mandates the appointment of Population Officers in all provinces, cities, and municipalities.

RDC-X further passed resolutions earnestly requesting the 19th Congress to immediately pass into law the Government Procurement Reform Bill and Budget Modernization Bill, and expedite the creation of the Department of Water Resources.

Meanwhile, RDC-X chairperson and Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, said the convening of the council for the last quarter of the year was timely as the country observes the Socio-Economic Planning and Development Week.

She said the celebration is a reminder of the pivotal role that planning and development play in shaping the future of Northern Mindanao. For her, it is also an opportune time to reflect on the RDC’s achievements, assess challenges, and chart a more resilient and sustainable path forward.

“Let us navigate the challenges ahead with resilience, unity, and a shared vision for a brighter tomorrow,” she said.

The 136th RDC-X Full Council Meeting was also highlighted by a recognition of regional achievers whose achievements brought honor and pride to Northern Mindanao. (APB/PIA-10)

DOH-10 inaugurates Normin regional blood center

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–The Department of Health Center for Health Development Northern Mindanao (DOH-CHDNM) inaugurates its Northern Mindanao Regional Blood Center (NMRBC) on June 30

The NMRBC is a project under the Health Facility Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health that

aims to improve access to quality healthcare facilities and services in the region. The construction of the building started in 2018 under the leadership of then-DOH-10 Regional Director Dr. Nimfa Torrizo, which Regional Director Dr. Jose Llacuna, Jr later carried over.

The blood center is designed to be the central storage facility for donated blood in the region. Since the center is still in its infancy, the DOH-CHDNM will work alongside the Philippine Red Cross until the facilities are fully operational.

Meanwhile, the health department hopes the public will understand and realize the importance of voluntary blood donation to save lives.

“Ang pag-construct ng mga ganitong gusali or facilities, hindi ito guarantee na consistent ang availability ng blood. Kahit meron tayong ganito kung di natin bibigyan ng tamang paraan upang magkaroon ng voluntary blood donors at magkaroon nang-stock dito wala tong kwenta ang building na ito. We need to give extra effort to make the program responsive to the needs of the people,” DOH Undersecretary for Field Implementation and Coordination Team-Mindanao, Abdullah Dumama, Jr., said. (The construction of such buildings or facilities does not guarantee the consistent availability of blood. Even if we have something like this, if we provide the right way to have voluntary blood donors and have stock here, this building will be valuable. We need to give extra effort to make the program responsive to the needs of the people)

Admittedly, the health department acknowledges the need to improve the safe blood collection and distribution system; hence, they are working with partners and stakeholders to establish a more responsive blood donation program.

“All of these accomplishments have been able to be achieved because of the cooperation of all stakeholders, and we hope that in the coming years, with the blessing from God above, we will be able to serve our Filipino people, especially those who have less in life, for they deserve more from us,” DOH-10 Regional Director Jose Llacuna said. (JAKA/PIA-10)