A total of 19 resolutions were deliberated and acted upon by the Regional Development Council VI (RDC-VI) during its 4th quarter meeting hosted by the Province of Antique on December 14, 2018. This brings the CY 2018 total resolutions passed by the Council to 91 which respond to important issues and concerns in the Regional Development Plan 2017-2022.
The bulk of the 4th quarter RDC-VI resolutions emanated from the Economic Development Committee (EDC) and the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) of the RDC-VI. The EDC endorsed the following: 1) Request for CAAP, in coordination with the DTI, to put up Go Lokal! stores, outlets, food kiosks and/or food aisles in airports of Region 6 to promote and sell the local products and food delicacies of Western Visayas; 2) for the City of Iloilo, Province of Iloilo, and Province of Guimaras to provide manpower and/or personnel to the tourism help desk at the Iloilo International Airport; 3) Support for the creation of the Department of Ocean, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources; and 4) Recommend for national review the establishment of Taklong Island National Marine Reserve (TINMR) as a component of the National Integrated Protected Area System (NIPAS) and to be renamed as Taklong and Tandog Group of Islands Natural Park.
The RPMC forwarded the following resolutions which were approved by the council: 1) Endorsing to RDC VI the proposal for the creation of a River Management and Conservation Division for every DENR Regional Office as a counterpart of the River Basin Control Office at the DENR Central Office; 2) Endorsing to RDC VI the request for NFA to include an anti-truck overloading provision in their trucking service contracts with rice haulers; 3) Endorsing to RDC VI the request for the Provincial Governments of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental to include an anti-truck overloading provision in their quarry permits they issue to quarry operators; 4) Endorsing to RDC VI the request for the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental to create an anti-truck overloading taskforce that will protect provincial roads and bridges from early deterioration/severe damage caused by overloaded trucks; 5) Endorsing to RDC VI the request for the DOTr to conduct a study rationalizing the construction of additional ports in Western Visayas; 6) Endorsing to RDC VI the request for the MARINA Region VI and the DOTr to fast track the upgrading of the wooden-hulled passenger boats; and 7) Endorsing to RDC VI the request for the PPA to develop the Port of Dumangas as Region VI’s second International Container Port.
The resolutions endorsed by the other committees of the RDC-VI to the council are as follows: 1) Enjoining the LGUs to support the implementation of Republic Act No. 11036 or the Mental Health Act; 2) Resolution endorsing the request for additional counterpart funding in the amount of thirty-six thousand pesos for the conduct of a Regional Level Training of Trainors (TOT) to enhance the functionality of Barangay Violence Against Women (VAW) desks; 3) Endorsing to RDC VI the request for the DENR to allocate funds for the Proposed Mangrove Eco-park 2 in Barangay Hinactacan, La Paz, Iloilo City; 4) Endorsing to RDC VI the proposed PhP 2.225 billion-rehabilitation/improvement of Zarraga creeks for funding by various National Government Agencies; 5) Endorsing to RDC VI the request for the Provincial Governments of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental to facilitate the establishment of centralized waste-to-energy facilities in their respective provinces either thru direct investments, Public-Private Partnership scheme or Joint Venture Agreements; 6) Endorsing to RDC VI the request for the HLURB to include a discussion on Karst subsidence/sinkholes in the Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) of LGUs and for concerned agencies to ensure that Karst Analyses are undertaken for proposed projects with major environmental impacts in Western Visayas and; 7) Endorsing to RDC VI the request for the HLURB to include Karst Analysis as a requirement for the issuance of permit for condominium projects.
It was also during the meeting where Regional Director Jim O. Sampulna of the DENR presented the implementation of reforms in Boracay and the Medium-Term Boracay Action Plan for 2018-2022 in behalf of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force Chairperson, DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.
The regional winners of the 2018 Search for Outstanding Volunteers were given recognition by RDC-VI. Mr. Regie F. Palmos of the West Visayas State University and Director Leonardo Salem of the National Auxiliary Chaplaincy Philippines (NACPHIL) were given recognition as non-RDC private sector partners who continue to contribute in building the region and the nation.
The RDC-VI announced the recent appointment of Co-Chairperson Donna Rose O. Ratilla who was present with Chairperson and Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao who presided the meeting. Ms. Ratilla is the Regional Governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Economic Development Committee of the RDC-VI. (DRD)
