RDC XII endorses 2 major tourism development projects

By Roy B. Hatague, NEDA XII

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The first quarter 2022 Regional Development Council (RDC) XII Meeting was successfully conducted on March 29, 2022 with the Council endorsing two significant resolutions for the development of the 2 major tourism sites in the region, viz:

a) RDC XII Resolution No. 12, series of 2022, Endorsing the Ladol Beach Tourism Development Project For Funding by the Tourism Infrastructure And Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and;

b) RDC XII Resolution No. 13, series of 2022, Requesting TIEZA to Appropriate Fund for the Feasibility Study of Lake Holon Tourism Development Project.

The sites which are being managed by the local communities in the area, and the strong and promising tourism potentials of the identified ecotourism sites in the Provinces of Sarangani and South Cotabato, respectively, had pre-qualified them to be eligible for TIEZA funding. The assistance that will be provided for the development of the said sites are expected to spur development and expand economic opportunities, thereby improving the standard of living of the local communities in the said areas.

Aside from the two resolutions endorsed by the Council during its 76th Regular Meeting, RDC XII Chairperson and General Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera underscored the Council’s remarkable accomplishments last year, despite the challenges brought about by the adverse impact of Covid 19 pandemic.

These include the approval of SOCCSKSAR GEN Regional Spatial Development Framework (RSDF) 2015-2045; conduct of the Region XII Road Summit 2021; and, the establishment of Philhealth offices in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, and Midsayap, Cotabato, the GSIS Servicing Unit in Koronadal City, and the DFA Consular Office in Kidapawan City. These initiatives of the Council, aimed not only to revitalize the region’s economy but also to bring government services closer to the people.

Last year, the Council also reviewed and endorsed the priority programs and projects of regional line agencies, state universities and colleges, and national government instrumentalities for CY 2022, as well as their investment programs for CY 2023 amounting to PhP 187.6 Billion. Through the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC), the Council monitored and subjected 36 projects facing delays to problem-solving sessions to put the projects back on track. In support of devolution activities, a special Committee on Devolution was also created as a special committee of the RDC XII headed by DBM. Meanwhile RDC continued to support the vaccination program through a resolution endorsing the Regional Vaccination Plan of DOH XII and Enjoining the Support of LGUs.

These are just a few of the numerous achievements of the Council and its sectoral and affiliate committees as it continues to advocate the region’s development through its slogan RISE SOCCSKSARGEN, which means to Revitalize and Innovate for a Safe and Strong Economy.

The Honorable Chair expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Council’s officials, members, and secretariat for the support, dedication and commitment in serving the people of SOCCSKSARGEN as he is now about to end his term as Chairperson of RDC XII and his three terms as local chief executive of General Santos City.