The Regional Development Council (RDC) XI Chairperson and Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy delivered the End-of-Term State of the Region Address (SORA) on June 21, 2022 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier with the theme, Change Has Come! Malinawong Pagpamuyo alang sa Mas Paspas nga Kalambuan sa Tanang Dabawenyo.

The event was attended by officials of Regional Line Agencies and Local Government Units and Private Sector Representatives of the Regional Development Council, as well as, guests from multi-sector groups and other development partners in Region XI. The event was also covered via live streaming by the PIA XI including the press conference that followed the delivery of the SORA.

Photo Credit: NRO XI (From left to right: DENR XI Executive Director Bagani Fidel A. Evasco, RDC XI Co-chairperson Valente D. Turtur, RDC XI Chairperson Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy, NEDA XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim, PMGen Filmore B. Escobal of the Area Police Command-Eastern Mindanao, and AFP-10ID Commander MGen Nolasco A. Mempin)

“I want to congratulate everyone for the strong convergence that we have shown in the Region particularly during this term. The last three years have not been easy. The challenges we faced during our term in this Council were nothing ordinary. Historians say this kind of pandemic occurs only once in a hundred years. We saw and experienced the COVID-19 pandemic that caused the twin crisis on public health and the global economy.”

The RDC XI Chairperson reported that Davao Region has made a respectable economic recovery. From the negative 7.5% dip in its Gross Regional Domestic Product in 2020, the Region was able to bounce back with a 5.9% GRDP growth rate in 2021.

“This was made possible through our progressive and effective implementation of priority programs and projects embodied in the Davao Regional Recovery and Resiliency Program to Mitigate Losses from COVID-19 and to Adapt to the New Normal.”, he added.

Furthermore, he said that Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP) for the period, 2017 to 2022 parallels the framework of the Philippine Development Plan adopted by the Duterte Administration, which is the first of the series of medium-term Philippine Development Plans directed towards the long-term vision called Ambisyon Natin 2040, where by the year 2040, all Filipinos will have achieved a Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay and extreme poverty is eradicated.

The DRDP, 2017-2022 lays down the foundation for inclusive growth, a high-trust and resilient society, and a globally competitive knowledge economy by year 2022. Davao Region pursued the three-pillar development strategies: the first pillar being Malasakit or Enhancing the Moral and Social Fabric; the second being Pagbabago or Reducing Inequality; and finally, Patuloy na Pag-unlad or Increasing the Region’s Growth Potential.Supporting these pillars are bedrock development strategies that foster a supportive economic environment and strong foundations for sustainable development regionwide.

Among the key accomplishments of the Region for the term 2019-2022 cited by the RDC XI Chairperson in his report were:

  • As of 2021, 81% or 30 cities and municipalities in Davao Region have adopted the eBPLS. The Electronic Business Permits and Licensing System effectively shortens the processing time of all government transactions; thus, lowering the cost of doing business;
  • Davao Region is on the forefront of mainstreaming cultural conservation, protection and promotion in the development plans of our local government units. A total of 36 Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plans, programs, activities, and projects have been integrated into investment programs of national government agencies and the Region’s LGUs;
  • Palay production and rice sufficiency levels in the Region improved due to continued support of the government in providing farmers and fisherfolks with financial and technical assistance;
  • Local cacao farmers were given stronger support through the signing of Republic Act 11547, an Act declaring Davao City as the Chocolate Capital of the Philippines and the entire Davao Region as the Cacao Capital of the Country. At present, Davao Region accounts for around 80 percent of the country’s total production of cacao;
  • The creation of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority by virtue of Republic Act No. 11708, spearheaded by Congressman Isidro Ungab, and his counterparts in the Senate, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa with the support of the RDC XI through our Metropolitan Davao Development Coordinating Committee led by the outgoing Mayor of Davao City and now the incoming Vice President of the Philippines, VP-elect Sara Duterte;
  • The whole-of-nation approach towards ending local communist armed conflict has resulted in the dismantling of decades-long CPP-NPA-NDF stronghold in Davao Region. 100% of the recorded 145 barangays in Davao Region, which used to be affected by these communist terrorist groups in 2016, have been cleared of CPP-NPA-NDF affectation.

RDC XI Chairperson Jayvee Tyron L. Uy expressed his deep gratitude to all members of the Council, the Chairpersons, Co-Chairpersons, and Secretariats of the various Sectoral and Special Committees, likewise to the Council’s Co-Chairperson, Val Turtur, who has led the Private Sector Representatives during his term, as well as, the Vice Chairperson, and Head, RDC XI Secretariat Director Maria Lourdes Lim of NEDA XI.

Photo Credit: NRO XI RDC XI Chairperson Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy concludes his End-of-term State of the Region Address

The Chairperson ended the SORA with this statement: “Thank you for trusting this young man from Davao de Oro with the most crucial job of leading and steering the development trajectory of Davao Region in its most critical and defining times. I am forever grateful of this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Joan Irene M. Prantilla, NEDA XI