Compostela, Davao de Oro—The Regional Development Council in Davao or RDC XI, in partnership with the Davao de Oro State College (DDOSC), conducted a campus tour for the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP), 2023-2028 in the northern part of the Region on March 22, 2024 at the DDOSC Main Campus in Compostela, Davao de Oro. The event aims to deepen the understanding of the academe and youth sectors on the development directions of the Region; mobilize these sectors in driving affirmative actions and local initiatives that would contribute to the successful Plan implementation; and strengthen the collaboration of these sectors with the government and other sectoral groups in the achievement of the Plan’s objectives.

In her welcome message, DDOSC President, Dr. Christie Jean V. Ganiera, expressed her appreciation for the conduct of the campus tour, as this serves as a recognition for the youth and the academic community’s potential as catalyst for regional development. Meanwhile, NEDA Davao RD Priscilla Sonido highlighted the DRDP chapters that are of particular relevance to the youth and academe, and shared their roles in the contribution to the sustainable and inclusive development of Davao Region, particularly in raising awareness, education, skills development, supporting local initiatives, among others.

Various messages of support were given by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) XI, DDOSC student leader, members of community-based youth organizations, and representatives of government agencies. Mr. Hammiel O. Agustin, President of the Youth for Peace Movement in Davao del Norte, shared that their organization focuses on maintaining the status of Davao Region as insurgency-free, particularly in the youth sector and that they are ready to collaborate towards the realization of the shared goals as embodied in the DRDP 2023-2028.

In closing, NEDA Davao ARD Gilberto Altura emphasized that the DRDP is a roadmap, a blueprint for action towards the attainment of a “matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay para sa lahat na Pilipino.” The participants were enjoined to write their commitments to the Pledge Wall, to symbolize the dedication to the goals outlined in the DRDP, 2023-2028.

This is the second campus tour for the DRDP 2023-2028, beginning with the South Cluster-University of Southeastern Philippines in Davao City on October 6, 2023.

Meg Badilles-Manayan, NEDA XI