PBBM reorganizes regional development councils

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

Under EO 82 inked on Jan. 28, Marcos designated at least 12 government agencies and offices as additional members of RDCs in an effort to speed up the economic and social growth and development of the units. (PCO file photo)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Executive Order (EO) 82 reconstituting the regional development councils (RDCs) to accelerate socio-economic development in all regions.

Under EO 82 inked on Jan. 28, Marcos designated at least 12 government agencies and offices as additional members of RDCs in an effort to speed up the economic and social growth and development of the units.

New RDC members are the regional heads of the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Department of Energy, Bureau of Local Government Finance, Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Migrant Workers, Department of Transportation, Cooperative Development Authority, Office of Civil Defense, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Philippine Information Agency.

“The Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 highlights the importance of supporting the thrust towards regional development and rationalizing government functions, systems and mechanisms in achieving deep social and economic transformation in the country,” EO 82 read.

“It is imperative to further reorganize the RDCs to strengthen their role in the pursuit of regional socio-economic development,” it added.

EO 82 directs the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), both members of the RDCs, to jointly issue guidelines for the strengthening of regional investment programming and budgeting.

The NEDA and the DBM are instructed to coordinate with relevant government agencies as they issue guidelines for the prioritization of key programs, projects, and activities under the regional development plans.

All central offices of government agencies are hereby directed to prioritize key RDC-endorsed programs, projects and activities in their investment programs and annual budgets, and provide feedback through their regional offices to the RDCs on their actions.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Metro Manila, pursuant to Republic Acts 11054 and 7924, are not covered by EO 82.

The NEDA is mandated to issue the necessary guidelines for the implementation of EO 82, within 60 working days from the effectivity of the order.

The guidelines should include the framework for the preparation and approval of the manual of operations of RDCs; mechanism for the selection of a Secretary or other officers for each RDC, including their duties and functions; and rules on vacancy and succession of RDC officials and officers.

The funding requirements for the initial implementation of EO 82 will be charged against the current and available appropriations of NEDA and such other sources as may be identified by the DBM.

The budget needed for the continued implementation of the order will be included in the budget proposals of NEDA, subject to the usual budget preparation process.