The Regional Development Council (RDC) XI endorsed over PHP10.3 billion worth of programs, activities and projects (PAPs) of various agencies for the Davao Regional Government (RGC) during the 3-day RDC XI Review and Consultation on the FY 2020 Budget Proposals on April 3-5, 2019 in Davao City.

Set to rise within the 101-hectare public land administered by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in Bago Oshiro, Davao City, the RGC shall be home to at least 55 Government Agencies’ Regional Offices, including a proposed one hectare lot for NEDA-RDC XI, and for the City Government of Davao.

Perspective of the proposed “Balai Nueva Vida” (Housing for government employees) and the BalayKasiya (Housing for Informal Settlers within the RGC (Source: NHA XI)

Roughly PHP 9.3 billion or 90 percent of the total proposed amount shall be earmarked for the housing projects of the National Housing Authority (NHA) XI for government employees and the informal settlers that shall be displaced due to the development of the RGC.

Government agencies that have proposed PAPs in the RGC include the Davao Regional Offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), National Nutrition Council (NNC), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),  National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA),   Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Commission on Indigenous People and Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

The proposal for the Davao RGC was submitted by RDC XI to the Office of the President, with endorsement from the City Government of Davao, for the issuance of a Presidential Proclamation reserving certain areas in Bago Oshiro, Davao City as sites for National Government Offices. To date, the Office of the President has already referred the request of RDC XI to DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu for technical evaluation.

The RGC is envisioned to strengthen coordination and foster collaboration among agencies and ensure efficiency in the delivery of public services.  Once realized, the Davao RGC is also expected to lessen congestion in Davao City’s downtown area.