(Davao City, 24 May 2023) – The Regional Development Council (RDC) XI spearheaded the launching of the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP), 2023-2028 on 23 May 2023, at the Mapua MCM Auditorium, Matina, Davao City and via online platform. The event marked a significant milestone for Davao Region’s RDP with the theme: Leading inclusive Transformation for a Sustainable Davao Region #LeTSDaRe.

This event is in line with the RDC XI’s advocacies on the implementation of the DRDP, 2023-2028, including its accompanying documents – Results Matrices, Regional Development Investment Program, and the Regional Development Research Agenda).  The DRDP, 2023-2028 serves as the Region’s overall blueprint for development for the next six years.

Formulated in collaboration with various stakeholders such as the national government agencies, local government units, state universities and colleges, government owned and controlled corporations, business and basic sectors, and CSOs in Davao Region, the Plan paves the way for the Region’s sustained recovery and accelerated transformation to a more progressive, broad-based and strong Davao Region.

In attendance were 237 onsite participants, including 209 Zoom and 56 Facebook  participants representing the government agencies, LGUs, local planners, academe, nmedia, youth, CSOs, NGOs, business sector, IPMRs, NEDA Central and other Regional Offices, among others. To set the tone of the activity, RDC XI Chairperson Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon delivered an inspiring welcome message. This was followed by the keynote message of NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan. He stressed that the operationalization of the RDP necessitates a comprehensive approach involving the entire government and society, with the RDCs spearheading the implementation of development efforts in the regions. Secretary Maria Belen S. Acosta of the Mindanao Development Authority also enjoined the Davao region stakeholders to take active part in the shared aspiration towards growth and accelerate poverty reduction thru the complementation of all Plans in Mindanao.

Among the highlights of the DRDP, 2023-2028 launching were two plenary sessions and the press conference. The plenary sessions – one for each thematic area of the DRDP, 2023-2028, namely: 1) Economic Transformation; and 2) Social Transformation. RDC XI Co-Chairperson and Private Sector Representative (PSR) Arturo M. Milan presented an overview of the first thematic area which surfaced the Plan’s strategies, development outcomes and programs that lead toward achieving economic transformation. The panelists for Thematic Area 1 were RD Maria Belen Q. Ambi, Department of Trade and Industry XI; OIC-RD Juby B. Cordon, Department of Public Works and Highways XI; ARD Elsie Mae A. Solidum, Department of Science and Technology XI; President John Carlo Tria of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc.; and Executive Director Marian Comilang, Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation. Dr. Raymundo J. Pajarito of Davao Oriental Provincial Government was the moderator for the first plenary session.

For Thematic Area 2:  Social Transformation, PSR Rommel F. Momo of the academe sector served as resource person.  He presented an overview of the DRDP strategies that pave the way for social transformation in Davao Region.  The Thematic Area 2 panelists were Director Annabelle P. Yumang, Department of Health XI; Director Allan G. Farnazo, Department of Education XI; Director Randolf C. Pensoy, Department of Labor and Employment XI; Mr. Xavier Eric B. Manalastas, President of ICT Davao; and Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao, President of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) XI. The thematic area 2 session was moderated bywas Executive Director Jimmie Loe P. dela Vega of the Davao Association of Catholic Schools. The plenary discussions provided the participants relevant information of the government and the private sector’s commitment and aspirations on Davao Region’s development directions in the next 6 years.

For the DRDP to gain the full support of Davao Region’s stakeholders, RDC XI Vice-Chairperson and NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim shared the ways forward on communicating the Plan to various sectors and audiences, as well as monitoring the programs of the Plan implementation. This was followed by the audio- visual presentation of the DRDP which captures the key messages of the Plan for the period 2023-2028.

The unveiling of the Plan documents was ushered and led by the RDC XI Officials, together with USEC Mark Cristeo R. Gimenez of the Presidential Management Staff, and Secretary Maria Belen S. Acosta of MinDA. The dignitaries also led the signing of the Pledge Wall showing their support to the implementation of the Plan.

The launching event was considered a success in terms of the target participants online and onsite and pledges of support from key stakeholders.

– Janice May A. Cerezo,  NEDA XI-DRD