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The RDC-VI conducted its 2nd quarter meeting, the inaugural meeting under the new RDC-VI Chairperson, Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao of Antique, the 12th RDC-VI Chairperson and the 3rd woman to hold the position at The Venue in San Jose, Antique on June 9, 2017.  Keynote speaker was Undersecretary Michael Lloyd Dino, the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas.

In his message, USec Dino discussed the role of his office in the promotion of socio-economic development in the Visayas.  As the Presidential Assistant, he will work for the enhanced connectivity between provinces/cities and municipalities in the Visayas for the mutual development of the area. He called for the need to adopt a new model for development, a dispersion model of development, i.e. in the case of health facilities, he envisioned for example the establishment of a heart center in Region 6; a children’s center in Region 7, etc.

He intends to bridge the gap between the Visayas region and Malacañan by way of pushing for big-ticket projects of the region and getting the attention and support of the President.  He shared what he had done to push for the Cebu Expressway.  He plans to identify 1 or 2 major projects of the Visayas that can be pushed.  Also discussed was the possible option of Martial Law if terrorists affect the peace and security of the area; and the championing of high-impact projects like the Panay River Basin Integrated Multipurpose Project for the province of Capiz, as the developmental option to improve the socio-economic development of the area.

In her inaugural address, Governor Cadiao thanked the RDC-VI members for nominating her to the position. She promised that she will fully support the programs and projects of the provinces of the region. She likewise mentioned the on-going and completed projects in the Province of Antique whom she considered as the “Rising Star of the Region”.  She also identified the various activities of the RDC like the conduct of the Regional Advisory Committee Meeting in the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, the forthcoming Private Sector Representative National Convention in Bohol, etc.

Three major briefings were conducted: 1) the National Security Policy 2017-2022 and Organization for National Security by Undersecretary Vicente M. Agdamag and Assistant Secretary Lorenzo A. Clavejo of the National Security Agency;       2) Crime Situation and Updates on Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign in Western Visayas by PC/Supt. Cesar Hawthorne R. Binag, Regional Director, PNP-VI; and

3) the Insurgency Situation and Threats of Terrorism in Western Visayas by Capt. Franco Ver Lopez Civil Military Operations Officer of the 301 Brigade 3rd Infantry Division PA.

A Report on the RDC-VI Advisory Committee Meeting and the 8th RDC PSR National Convention were discussed by RD Ro-Ann A. Bacal, Vice-Chairperson of the RDC and Ms. Febie S. Ibojos, Country Director, Signpost Philippines, Inc., respectively.

The Full Council approved a total of eight resolutions endorsed by the sector and special committees:

  1. Support for the full implementation of the Enhanced Magna Carta for Public Health Workers;
  2. List of proposed projects for inclusion in the DTI-DPWH Roads Leveraging Linkages of Industry and Trade (ROLL-IT) Program;
  3. Proposed construction of the gap sections of the Iloilo Circumferential Roads 2, 3 and 4 (C-2, C-3, and C-4 Roads) Including By-Pass Roads and Bridges under the Metro Iloilo Road Network Plan for Inclusion in the DPWH CY 2018 Infrastructure;
  4. Request for the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to source out from the Road Board of the Philippines’ Special Road Safety Fund the payment of electricity consumed by existing lamp posts along the national road network or to consider solar lighting technology for its National Road Lighting Program;
  5. Request for the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to source out ₱88 Million from the Control Fund for the completion of the Western Visayas’ Motor Vehicle Inspection Center (MVIC) in San Miguel, Iloilo.
  6. Request for the Department of Agriculture and Department of Agrarian Reform to streamline the documentary requirements for reclassification and conversion of Agricultural Lands;
  7. Request for the provincial governments of Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Guimaras to create their respective Provincial Anti-Truck Overloading Taskforce in order to protect provincial/local roads and bridges from early deterioration/severe damage caused by overloaded trucks; and
  8. Request for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to enjoin the cities and municipalities to create and Office of the Building Official (OBO) that is distinct and separate from the Office of the City/Municipal Engineer.

The Chairperson administered the oath-taking of Engr. Dale Bernas as Geographic PSR of Capiz and of Atty. Irene Alcobilla as Vice President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Antique Chapter.  The Council also approved the entry of the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines as Special Non-Voting Members of RDC VI.

A Plaque of Appreciation was given to Former RD-Alfonso B. Bedonia, who has retired as Regional Director of DBM-VI last May 31, for his dedication and commitment to RDC-VI.

The 3rd quarter RDC-VI meeting will be conducted on September 8, 2017 in Kalibo, Aklan. (DRD)