Regional Development Updates Volume 18 Number 4 | October - December 2020

RDC XII endorses PhP197 billion worth of public investments for SOCCSKSARGEN After 70 years, an upland village in South Cotabato now has electricity, thanks to TESDA-12

CONTENTS

Volume 18 | Number 4 | October - December 2020

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief TERESITA SOCORRO C. RAMOS Executive Editor ROMEL PATRICK E. TANGHAL Associate Editor MA. LULU E. VALENCIA Contributing Editors MARIA FELICIDAD R. GUERRERO GUILLERMO R. MANRIQUE, JR. LALAINE M. SAJELAN RDU Coordinators MICHAEL BJ S. ABELLANA EDEN F. RIDAO EVIE A. CABULANAN ANNIE C. DEPUTADO REBECCA RUTH S. SIMTIM AUREL RAYMUND P. BETQUE CHARMAINE LOU M. VILCHES RUBY ABEGAIL C. SERRANO JOSE ANTHONY LAURENT P. OCTAVIO JOSEPHUS B. ABORDO KATE D. ESPERO Layout Artist/Circulation Manager APOLLO Y. MANLAWE Contributors TESDA XII DPWH XII MINDA DOE

The Regional Development Updates (RDU) is published quarterly by the Regional Development Council (RDC) XII with editorial office at the National Economic and Development Authority Regional Office XII, Prime Regional Government Center, Purok Mabuhay, Barangay Carpenter Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato, with Telephone No.: (083) 877-3588, Fax: (083) 228-9203. The Editorial Board reserves the right to edit the manuscript for reasons of space and clarity. RDU assumes no responsibility on unpublished and unsolicited materials.

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RDC XII endorses PhP197 billion worth of public investments for SOCCSKSARGEN

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EDITORIAL

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SOCIAL SECTOR Special BP2 Committee XII endorses the Regional BP2 Action Plan

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ECONOMIC SECTOR RDCom-Mindanao approves RTL review ER 1-94 disbursement reaches PhP4.15 billion to fight COVID-19 RPMC REPORT RPMC facilitates 4th Quarter problem-solving session for five (5) problematic projects in the region After 70 years, an upland village in South Cotabato now has electricity, thanks to TESDA-12 MACRO-ECONOMY, DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, AND FINANCE SECTOR SOCCSKSARGEN line agencies support the use of PNPKI digital certificate RDC XII pushes for establishment of DFA Consular Office in Kidapawan City SECRETARIAT’S CORNER RDC XII Secretariat holds its first virtual year-end assessment and planning conference SOCCSKSARGEN holds RDC Day celebration despite the pandemic

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Resolutions from the 71st RDC XII Meeting

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4th Quarter Regional Economic Situationer (QRES)

HOW TO REACH US Do you have questions, comments or suggestions? Send your letters with complete name and address to our editorial office mentioned above, or email us at nedaxii@ nro12.neda.gov.ph or nro12@neda.gov.ph.

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Shown on our cover is the resiliency of the people of SOCCSKSARGEN as we move forward towards recovery during the times of pandemic.

RDC XII endorses PhP197 billion worth of public investments for SOCCSKSARGEN

By Charmaine Lou M. Vilches, NEDA XII - PDIPBD

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – Regional Development Council (RDC) XII, through its four (4) sectoral committees namely: Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee (InfraCom) XII, Economic Development Committee (EDC) XII, Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) XII, and Macro-Economy, Development Administration, and Finance Committee (MEDAFC) XII, reviewed and endorsed a total of PhP 197 Billion investments for CY 2022. A total of 52 agencies and five (5) State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) presented their proposed priority projects, in consultation with the Provincial and City Local Government Units (LGUs) and Congresspersons.

Based on Executive Order (EO) No. 325, series of 1996, the RDC is considered the highest

socioeconomic policy-making body in the region. The Council is mandated to coordinate development planning, investment programming and budgeting, as well as the monitoring and evaluation of priority programs and projects in the regions.

The Consultation-Workshop for the Updating and Review/ Approval of the CY 2022 Annual Investment Program (AIP) was conducted on October 19-20, 2020, via videoconference. It was facilitated by the RDC XII Sectoral Committees which serve as the clearinghouse in the review and endorsement of the CY 2022 AIP of member agencies in their respective sectors.

The biggest share of the proposals came from the Social Sector at about 54 percent, followed by the Infrastructure Sector at 34

percent, Economic Sector at 10 percent, and the Governance and Institutions Development (GID), Peace and Security Sector at 2 percent, respectively. The four (4) sectoral committees had initially identified their respective priorities but subject to finalization and confirmation during the 4th Quarter Regular Meeting.

The 2-day activity was conducted as part of the planning process to validate the projects’ support to the attainment of development objectives and targets of the different national and local development plans. Also, among the objectives of the said activity was to integrate recent developments, particularly those programs and projects which would address the effects of the CoVID-19 pandemic.

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EDITORIAL Message from the RDC XII Chairperson Hon. Ronnel C. Rivera City Mayor, General Santos City For our beloved people of SOCCSKSARGEN, let us face 2021 with hope, greater knowledge, and more steadfast actions. Like people training in a race, we have faced the trials brought about by COVID-19 in 2020. The year 2021 may not be an end to these but we will be better prepared.

As the theme of this year-ender issue of the RDU states, we are moving towards a more resilient 2021. Likening ourselves to our famous local bamboo, the disease may have bent us, but it did not break us. And now, geared with the knowledge from our experience, we will journey together towards a 2021 that can better respond to similar storms that may once again come our way.

As you go on reading the remaining pages of this newsletter, may you continue to appreciate what we have all together accomplished in 2020.

And as you end, may you be more eager to contribute to a more fruitful, more vibrant, and more resilient SOCCSKSARGEN in the new year.

Message from the RDC XII Vice-Chairperson Teresita Socorro C. Ramos Regional Director, NEDA XII “Forward Recovery toward Resilient 2021” In ophthalmology, 20/20 means perfect vision. This is what 2020 brought to the people of the Region. The entry of COVID-19 to the country resulted to loss of jobs, low economic activity and increased focus on protecting lives from the dreaded disease. But the pandemic also gave us a better vision of our directions, as the theme of this issue of the RDU suggests.

Forward recovery means an active action. Forward means a direction that is being taken by all the people of SOCCSKSARGEN. Like passengers going on a journey, the people are all in this travel together of recovering from the effects of COVID-19.

And where are we heading? We are taking the path towards a healthy and resilient 2021. We have all experienced pains on how to adapt to the new normal. Yet, these are necessary for us to keep ourselves protected from the disease while looking for ways to earn for our families and doing our part in nation building. And now, we face the new year with renewed hope and better preparedness for challenges that may come our way.

Looking forward to a Healthy and Resilient SOCCSKSARGEN. 4 | Regional Development Updates | October - December 2020

Special BP2 Committee XII endorses the Regional BP2 Action Plan

By Eden F. Ridao, NEDA XII-DRD

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The Special Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Committee XII endorsed the Regional BP2 Action Plan to the Regional BP2 Council XII during its 2nd virtual meeting on December 2, 2020.

Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Chairperson of the Special BP2 Committee XII, presided the meeting that focused on the review and subsequent endorsement of the regional action plan.

Of the total BP2 enrollees, 927 desire to go back to South Cotabato, 820 to Cotabato Province, 387 to Sultan Kudarat, and 272 to Sarangani province.

The regional plan includes general strategies to implement the major thrusts and priorities of the BP2 Program. It also includes a list of proposed programs and projects that would assist the BP2 beneficiaries.

The formulation of the BP2 regional action plan is part of the committee’s mandate to coordinate the BP2 activities and advise the Regional Development Council in formulating policies to ensure the efficient implementation of the BP2 programs and projects in the region.

The plan aims to empower local industries, ensure food security and agricultural productivity, promote housing, social welfare, health, employment, and human resource development, and infrastructure development needed The committee, with NEDA to improve the quality of life in Regional Director as the Vicethe rural areas.

Chairperson, is tasked to provide technical guidance to agencies, As highlighted in the plan, the local government units, and other private organizations in National Housing Authority (NHA) being the BP2 Council’s conceptualizing, designing, and financing BP2 projects. Provincial secretariat revealed that, 2,408 governors, city mayors, the RDC applicants who are residing in Metro Manila wish to return to sectoral committee chairpersons the provinces in Region XII, as of and co-chairpersons, and selected regional line agencies comprise November 28, 2020. the committee.

During the December 2, 2020 meeting, the Committee decided to expand its membership to include two additional government agencies -- the Department of Energy and the Department of Information and Communications Technology – that would have essential roles in the implementation of the BP2 program.

The committee also enjoined the local governments to identify local projects and activities that support BP2 objectives, ensure convergence of all local efforts with national priorities, facilitate the effective implementation of projects, and monitor program implementation in their areas.

The BP2 program, which was created under EO 114, s. 2020 signed on 06 May 2020, aims to ensure equitable distribution of wealth by institutionalizing balanced development and boosting countryside growth.

It also intends to decongest Metro Manila and other highly urbanized cities by encouraging people to return to their home provinces and help them in their transition by providing the necessary support like transportation, livelihood, housing, education, among others.

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RDCom-Mindanao approves RTL review

By MinDA

DAVAO CITY- The Regional Development Committee (RDCom) of Mindanao composed of the Chairpersons of the different regional development councils and NEDA approved the proposal to review the effects of the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) on Mindanao’s Rice Industry.

MinDA Chairperson Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said that Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu, Chairperson of the Regional Development Council 9, made the motion for the review of the RTL seconded by RDC 12 Co-Chairperson Dr. Ramon Floresta, following the Secretary’s presentation on the adverse effects of the RTL on the rice industry of Mindanao. The MinDA chairperson further stated that RDCom-Mindanao Chairperson Gov. Dale Corvera of Agusan del Norte approved the passage of a resolution creating a review committee for the RTL with

MinDA as secretariat.

emphasized.

Among the recommended members of the Review Committee for RTL were leaders of rice farmers groups, industry stakeholders like millers and local traders, feed mill operators, and representatives of relevant government agencies. The MinDA chief added that the results of the review will be presented to the RDCom early next year in time for the next harvest season.

Importing 3-million metric tons when the actual rice production shortfall is only 2-million tons (It was just 1.2-million in 2017) means that rice farmers in an estimated 200,000 hectares will be eased out because of very low farm gate prices.

“During the RDCom-Mindanao Meeting, I was asked to make a presentation on the status of the Rice Industry of Mindanao in the face of the unimpeded importation of rice from Vietnam, Thailand, and others. In the presentation, I cited that the overimportation of rice has resulted in the drop of farm gate prices of local paddy rice from as high as PhP20 to as low as PhP10 during the last harvest season,” Piñol

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During the presentation, the MinDA chief said that nationwide losses suffered by farmers because of the drop in farm gate prices from a high of PhP20 to even just PhP14 per kilo were quantified at PhP108 billion, assuming that the local Palay production this year was at 18-million metric tons.

“Revenues generated from the importation of rice was only placed at PhP20 billion at the most. Aside from the losses by farmers, there is a huge still unquantified damage to the economy,” Piñol said.

In photos (L-R) are transport vehicles (fullyequipped ambulance), mobile markets; the Batangas Inmates Quarantine Center; personal protective equipment, medical/ disinfecting supplies, common medicines and vitamins; a Holding and Distribution Centre; and UV lights, which were among the items procured and places enhanced in the fight against COVID-19 using ER 1-94 funding.

ER 1-94 disbursement reaches PhP4.15 billion to fight COVID-19

By DOE

TAGUIG CITY - Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic early this year, the Department of Energy (DOE) was able to remit a total of PhP4,155,844,726.88 from the Energy Regulation No. 1-94 (ER1- 94) Funds to the concerned host local government units (LGUs) nationwide to support the fight against the spread of the virus and manage the effects of the health crisis.

“At the onset of the COVID-19 crisis in the country, we have issued Department Circular (DC) No. DC2020-04-0008, to help host LGUs by making available ER 1-94 Funds to be used in their fight against the pandemic, in accordance with Republic Act

11469, or the ‘Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,’” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

“The DOE has successfully implemented and monitored the direct remittance of the financial benefits to host communities/ region to ensure that ER 1-94 funds are utilized immediately for their development needs, and for the delivery of essential health services to mitigate the socioeconomic impact of the crisis,” he added.

The ER 1-94 program is a policy under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), which stipulates that host communities will get a share of one centavo for every

kilowatt-hour (PhP0.01/kWh) of the total electricity sales of power generation companies operating in its area. Through DOE Department Circular No. DC2018-08-0021, power generation companies are now allowed to directly download the ER 1-94 funds to their host communities. Streamlining the release of funding will ease the process of implementing projects that benefit the host communities.

Also, as of 30 September 2020, initial reports received by the DOE showed that at least PhP462 million were directly remitted by the concerned Generation Companies to the host LGUs for ER 1-94 . . . p14

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RPMC XII facilitates 4th Quarter problem-solving session for five (5) problematic projects in the region

By Rebecca Ruth S. Simtim, NEDA XII-PMED

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) XII, with the objective of accelerating the implementation of programs and projects in the region, conducted its 4th Quarter Virtual Meeting cum Problem-Solving Session (PSS) on November 19, 2020. Since actual field visit to projects is not yet feasible given the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the region, the Committee sustained its monitoring activities by adopting an alternative approach of doing field monitoring and PSS through virtual mode.

There were five (5) projects confronted with issues and concerns that were subjected to technical level PSS on October 22, 2020 and RPMC XII-PSS on November 19, 2020. Three of these projects are being implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XII, namely: a) Construction of New Permanent Bridge Allah Bridge 2 (Parallel Bridge); b) Construction of Bypass and Diversion Road – Banga-Tupi-Malungon Road Package A; and c) Widening of Permanent Bridge – Upper Makar Bridge. The two others are being implemented by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) Malitubog-Maridagao Irrigation Project – Project Management Office (MMIP-PMO). These include the MMIP II Protection Dike Project Package XII and MMIP II Construction of RMC 3 Package VI Project.

Concerned implementing agencies (IAs) and local project monitoring committees (LPMCs) where the projects are located were also invited during the PSS to validate and assist in the resolution of issues and concerns and concur with policy recommendations to hasten project implementation and completion.

Other than the Right-of-Way (ROW) and flooding as major issues affecting some of the projects, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has also significantly affected the implementation and completion of projects which called for the suspension of work due to delayed delivery of materials with the series of lockdowns implemented by the Local Government Units (LGUs).

There were several measures recommended by the Committee to fast track the completion of the projects.

The major recommendations of the Committee were contained in the following resolutions: a)

Requesting the Immediate Intervention of the City Government of General Santos in the Resolution/Settlement of ROW Issue on the Project “Widening of Permanent Bridge-Upper Makar Bridge Along Albert Morrow Boulevard, General Santos City; and,

b)

Requesting NIA Central Office to facilitate the conduct of a thorough assessment/evaluation on the suitability/appropriateness of the installed MMIP II Protection Dike Project to be able to recommend appropriate engineering solutions to address flooding in the area.

The findings and recommendations of the Committee will be presented to Regional Development Council (RDC) 12 during its 71st Regular Meeting on December 7, 2020 for concurrence and appropriate action of concerned entities.

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MMIP II Construction of RMC 3 Package VI Project

Construction of Bypass and Diversion Road – Banga-TupiMalungon Road Package A

MMIP II Protection Dike Project Package XII

Widening of Permanent Bridge – Upper Makar Bridge

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After 70 years, an upland village in South Cotabato now has electricity, thanks to TESDA-12

By TESDA XII

KORONADAL CITY - Christmas will be different for this year for the residents of Sitio Blit, Barangay Ned, a remote village in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato after they received solar panels from the government through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA-12).

Under its “TESDA Alay ay Liwanag at Asenso” (TALA) program, TESDA 12 provided solar panels that gave light to Sitio Blit. This sitio has never experienced having electricity for the past seven decades.

Sitio Blit, known as the home of Tasaday and T’boli tribes, had no electricity and lights for almost 70 years as they say the road to the said village is stiff and difficult to pass.

TESDA 12 Regional Director Rafael Y. Abrogar, II pursued the promise of TESDA Secretary Isidro S. Lapeña to give more opportunities to those who have less in life, especially those living in remote areas in the country through its project TALA. TESDA 12 provided the beneficiaries of the solar panels in a one-month Photovoltaic

Installation training for them to know how to take care of their solar panels. Despite the language barriers between the Tasadays and T’bolis, the hands-on training was successfully conducted.

“Trainers slept in the village (Sitio Blit) to teach them how to install and maintain their solar panels,” Abrogar said.

According to Sitio leader Malec Dudim, 44, a T’boli, he has not experienced having light in his home at night since birth. For the past 20 years, his own family endured the night and missed the opportunity of teaching or assisting their children with their school lessons especially at night time.

“We limit our movement at night because it’s too dark and our children can’t read at night,” Dudim said.

Now Dudim’s family has a solar panel that provides light in their house so they could enjoy the night.

“This is a big help to us and you (TESDA) fulfilled your promise to give these solar panels to us. Because of this, we feel the presence of the government here

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in our village,” Dudim said in the vernacular while switching on the light inside his house.

Over 100 households in Sitio Blit will receive their solar panels for the next few months after they undergo the TESDA training.

Another 1,000 more households in other remote areas of the region are targeted to receive solar panels through the TESDA’s project TALA. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, TESDA continued to implement its programs and projects in the remote communities with strict compliance to the minimum health protocols.

As constantly emphasized by TESDA Secretary Lapeña in his messages on giving ample opportunity to those who have less in life, “We have to act fast and that fast is now.”

SOCCSKSARGEN line agencies support the use of PNPKI digital certificate

By Ruby Abegail C. Serrano, NEDA XII-PFPD

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – SOCCSKSARGEN line agencies expressed their support to the use of Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) digital certificate during the orientation for Regional Development Council (RDC) XII members on November 5, 2020.

In light of the new normal where physical transactions have shifted to electronic ones using online platforms, digital signatures have become useful in signing critical and important documents. PNPKI digital certificate is a file issued by a Certificate Authority as proof of an individual’s (or machine’s) electronic identity and serves as an electronic “passport” that allows a person, computer, or organization to exchange information securely over the internet.

RDC XII Chairperson and General Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera, in his message, expressed his support for the use of PNPKI digital certificate to improve the delivery of government services to citizens which is geared towards full digital transformation in the future.

Department of Budget and Management (DBM) XII Regional

Director Akmad J. Usman cited that the government has recognized the use of electronic means to deliver public core services since the passage of RA 8792 or the Electronic Commerce Act in 2000.

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled almost all transactions to shift to virtual communication and paperless workflow. He emphasized that the use of digital signatures will still be present even after the pandemic ends because of its efficiency, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-Mindanao Cluster 3 Director Alimbzar P. Asum and Mr. Ronald Jones S. Hinay of DICTSouth Cotabato Provincial Office demonstrated the salient features of the PKI digital certificates. The use of certified digital signatures will ensure the authenticity of the user’s identity through a minimum of 2048bit system-generated key. It allows the document in digital form to be signed as if it were a paper document and makes it tamper-proof since the smallest change can be detected upon verification. All government agencies and personnel, as well as private individuals, can avail of the PNPKI services.

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is among the core services being offered by the DICT that will foster trust in the government by ensuring secure and reliable online transactions. It enables risks to be properly managed so that electronic transactions can be performed on open, insecure networks such as the internet. The main components of the PKI include public-key cryptography and digital certificates.

In her closing statement, RDC ViceChairperson and NEDA XII Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos inspired everyone by saying that despite these challenging times, there are still several reasons to be thankful, including the emerging era of digitalization and improved services of the government. She urged every regional line agency to apply for digital certificates and utilize PKI services of DICT to demonstrate that the government is a pioneer in using new technologies.

The orientation on the use of PNPKI digital certificate was in response to the request of the Regional Task Force XII on COVID-19 Economy Response Cluster (ERC) during its 10th Regular Meeting. More than 60 participants joined the orientation via videoconference.

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RDC XII pushes for establishment of DFA Consular Office in Kidapawan City

By Jose Anthony Laurent P. Octavio, NEDA XII - PFPD

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – The Macro-Economy, Development Administration, and Finance Committee (MEDAFC) of Regional Development Council (RDC) XII called for a technical meeting on November 12, 2020, to expedite the process of establishing a Department of Foreign Affairs Consular Office in Kidapawan City.

In attendance at the said meeting were Ronan Eugene C. Garcia, Chairperson of MEDAFC, RDC XII Vice-Chairperson and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XII Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, Executive Director Maria Theresa SM. Lazaro, Director Duke A. Villanueva, and Foreign Service Officer Hannah Eloisse V. Go of the DFA Office of Consular Affairs, Atty. Gary B. Vergara from the Office of North Cotabato Second Congressional District Representative Rudy S. Caoagdan, Zenaida B. Sollano of the Provincial Government of Cotabato, and Divina

M. Fuentes of the City Government of Kidapawan.

Among the agreements reached were: (1) the DFA and the City Government of Kidapawan shall enter into a Memorandum of Agreement which shall pave the way toward the establishment of the DFA Consular Office in Kidapawan City; (2) the Passport-on-Wheels program shall be conducted in the province while the establishment of the DFA Consular Office is being pursued; and (3) another meeting may be called upon to discuss other important concerns that shall expedite the process of establishing the consular office in Kidapawan City.

The establishment of a DFA Consular Office in Kidapawan City is one of the priorities of RDC XII as reflected in the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Development Plan 2017-2022 Midterm Update. This initiative is being supported by Rep. Rudy S. Caoagdan, Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph A. Evangelista,

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and NEDA XII Regional Director Teresita Socorro C. Ramos. It can be recalled that Mayor Evangelista sought the help of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto, III and Senator Manuel M. Lapid for this endeavor while Rep. Caoagdan filed House Bill No. 4444 in the lower house which sought to establish a DFA Consular Office in the Province of Cotabato. House Bill No. 4444 was subsequently substituted by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs that led to the adoption of House of Representatives’ Resolution No. 39, series of 2020 that urges DFA to establish a consular office in Kidapawan City. Moreover, NEDA XII Regional Director Ramos raised this matter before the Office of the President during the 53rd Cabinet Assistance System Meeting on September 23, 2020. This undertaking complies with President Rodrigo Duterte’s marching orders to all government agencies to improve their efficiency and bring their

RDC XII . . . p13

RDC XII Secretariat holds its first virtual year-end assessment and planning conference

By Josephus B. Abordo, NEDA XII-FAD

KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato —The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XII, as the Regional Development Council (RDC) XII Secretariat, held its first virtual Year-end Assessment and Planning Conference on December 15-17, 2020.

The 2020 conference embraced the theme “Malasakit at Bayanihan Amidst the Challenges of COVID-19 Pandemic” to recognize that harnessing a positive culture of connection and care among the NEDA XII family is as important as assessing the performance of the group.

The discussions during the annual year-end activity focused on the performance and accomplishments of the RDC XII Secretariat amidst challenges and uncertainties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Specifically, it was aimed to: (1) assess the performance of the different sectoral committee secretariats for CY 2020; (2) prepare the RDC XII and sectoral committees’ Indicative Work Program CY 2021; (3) discuss policy and operational issues concerning the delivery of RDC XII . . . p12

expected final outputs of RDC XII Secretariat in the areas of technical and administrative support services to the Council for CY 2020 and recommend appropriate measures; and (4) strengthen the bonds of RDC XII Secretariat members amidst the pandemic through the conduct of virtual team-building and fellowship activities.

Management Team Conference (Level I) and individual RDC XII sectoral committee secretariat’s workshops (Level II) were conducted before the Plenary (Level III) session.

Among the major accomplishments of the Sectoral Committee Secretariat were the conduct and facilitation of the following: (1) Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) XII Webinar on Child-Friendly Urban

Design; (2) FY 2021 Budget Consultation and Review; (3) Organization of Special Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Committee XII and preparation of the SOCSKSARGEN BP2 Action Plan; (4) Preparation of Regional Recovery Plan (RRP), 20202022; (5) Advisory, Executive and Sectoral Committees Meetings; and (5) assistance to other interagency bodies and activities like Regional Task Force (RTF) on COVID-19 Economy Response Cluster, RTF to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, RDC – Private Sector Representative National Convention, and RDC Week celebration.

The NEDA XII and RDC XII Secretariat’s assessment and planning conference ended with a virtual fellowship program. With positivity and faithfulness, the officials and staff of NEDA XII prayed for a prosperous, safe, and COVID-free 2021.

services closer to the people. Once realized, the residents of the province of Cotabato, together with people from the nearby provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, and southern part of Bukidnon, would no longer need to travel to the cities of Davao, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Tagum, and General Santos just to avail of DFA’s services, such as applying for passports, authentication of documents, and assistance-to-nationals.

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SOCCSKSARGEN holds RDC Day celebration despite the pandemic

By Michael BJ S. Abellana, NEDA XII - DRD

KORONADAL CITY, 06 October 2020 – For the first time, the celebration of RDC Day by Regional Development Council 12 was held online and this was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stringent health protocols disallows mass gathering to avoid the spread of COVID-19. But this did not stop the Council from uniting virtually and holding the event that bears the theme, Recovering as One, Developing as One, Caring and healing as One. The activity was attended by more than 150 participants from the local government units, regional line agencies, RDC Private Sector Representatives, students, and NEDA Regional Offices.

Keynote Speaker Isidro S. Lapeña, TESDA Secretary and Cabinet Officer for Regional Development

and Security (CORDS) for Region XII emphasized in his pre-recorded video message that it is the job of the Council to unite the people of the region to work hand-in-hand towards development.

Department of Health 12 Regional Mental Health Program Manager Mohammad Zein B. Kali talked about the ways to manage mental and psychological health issues through self-awareness, socializing via text or call, and exercising one’s spirituality.

“Filipinos are relational and grounded in their belief in God. These deeply rooted values help in fighting the negative effects of the pandemic”, Prof. Arvin Manuel R. Villalon said in his sharing on the results of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts’ national study on Filipino values and

their relevance in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The participants also had the privilege of listening to Prof.

Steven Patrick C. Fernandez of the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, a Palanca and Francisco Balagtas awardee, as he presented “Culture: Cause, Complement, or Culprit”, which centered on Filipino culture, its positive and negative aspects, and how it is helping Filipinos survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

RDC Week is celebrated annually every 4th week of September by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 1164, series of 1998.

ER 1-94 . . . p7 their immediate utilization for COVID-19 related responses.

Notably, at the onset of pandemic and containment measures, the DOE DC2020-04-0008 for COVID- 19 Response Policy through funding arrangements, were responsive in complementing the needed fund source in the delivery of immediate needs of the host communities.

While the country was placed on various stages of lockdowns, the ER 1-94 Funds were immediately

utilized for a) feeding programs, including the provision of relief goods; b) acquisition of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline medical workers, medical and other decontamination/disinfecting supplies and equipment including alcohol disinfectants, sanitizers, common medicines, thermo-scanners and contactless thermometers, respirators and/or ventilators, UV Lights; and c) for constructing or leasing of medical facilities, tents, safe holding areas, including quarantine centers.

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Before the year ends, the DOE is processing the transfer of an estimated amount of PhP278 million additional ER Funds to various host communities/region.

This unprecedented experience has given the energy sector opportunities for creativity, flexibility and ingenuity to reorganize, at the local and national level, and find innovative ways of providing essential health services to all.

Resolutions from the 71st Regional Development Council XII Meeting To help move the region forward towards a more resilient region in calendar year 2021, Regional Development Council XII, as the highest socio-economic policy-making body in the Region, passed various resolutions. Among the significant ones are: 1.

RDC XII Resolution No. 86, s. of 2020

Approving the Creation of the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SOX RCSDG) The Council approved the creation of the SOX RCSDG, a committee that will focus and coordinate national and regional policies in monitoring the Region’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. The Committee is the newest Affiliate Committee of the Council.

2.

RDC XII Resolution No. 89, s. of 2020

Endorsing the SOCCSKSARGEN BP2 Program Regional Action Plan to the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) National Council The SOCCSKSARGEN BP2 Program Regional Action Plan shall serve as a guide in the implementation of the BP2 Program in Region XII. From a wider perspective, the program aimed to decongest Metro Manila and to ensure a balanced distribution of wealth, resources, and opportunities among the regions.

3.

RDC XII Resolution No. 102, s. of 2020

Endorsing the Farm-to-Market Road (FMR) Projects to be Funded Under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act or “Bayanihan 2” for CY 2020 Amounting to PhP 96,000,000.00 Recognizing the importance of FMRs in linking production areas and markets, and also enhancing the efficiency of transporting agricultural products, the Council endorsed eight FMR Projects to be implemented by the Department of Agriculture XII in the four (4) provinces in the region.

These will help increase the income of farmers and fisherfolks while also lowering the prices of food sold to the general public.

For the complete list of resolutions passed during the 71st RDC XII Meeting held on September 21, 2020, via videoconference, you may scan this code.

October - December 2020 | Regional Development Updates

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Scan to Download the Full 4th Quarter 2020 Region 12 QRES

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