(15 March 2024). The Regional Development Council (RDC) XI proposed a total of PHP351.2 Billion budget for the Davao Region for fiscal year (FY) 2025 during the Council’s first quarter 2024 regular meeting held at Haven’s Dew Resort,Sitio Balutakay, Bansalan, Davao del Sur.

The RDC XI endorsed the FY 2025 budget proposals of 54 agency regional offices (AROs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) in Davao Region. The budget proposals were evaluated by the sectoral committees in terms of their responsiveness and contributions to the achievement of the development objectives and targets under the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP), 2023-2028 and its Results Matrices (RMs).

About 68 percent of the proposed budget for 2025 is earmarked for regular and ongoing programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) classified as Tier 1 under the national government’s Two -Tier Budget Approach, while 32 percent is proposed to fund new and expanded PAPs under Tier 2.

Funding requirements for infrastructure projects comprise more than half of the Region’s total budget proposal at 59 percent or PHP208.8 billion; followed by social sector projects at 35 percent or PHP121.8 Billion; economic sector projects at 4 percent or PHP13.8 Billion; and development administration sector projects at 2 percent or roughly PHP6.7 Billion.

The top agency with the highest proposed budget for FY 2025 is the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) XI with PHP164.5 Billion to fund various road and flood control projects, as well as the national building program. The Department of Education (DepEd) XI is second with PHP84.4 Billion allocated for various programs such as the Education Policy Development Program, Basic Education, and Inclusive Education.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) ranked third with PHP36 Billion to fund the development of the Davao International Airport and Mati Airport; Mindanao Railway Project, Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, and various port development projects.

The Council’s endorsement of the budget proposals is in line with the RDC mandate under Executive Order No. 325 to review, prioritize, and endorse to the national government the annual and multi-year sectoral investment programs of the region for funding and implementation.

 

Photo credit: Davao del Sur Provincial Information Office

 

From left to right: Davao del Sur Governor Yvonne Cagas, RDC XI Chair and Davao Oriental Governor Niño Sotero Uy, and RDC XI Vice-Chair and NEDA XI Regional Director Priscilla R. Sonido (Photo credit: Davao del Sur Provincial Information Office)

–Rowena M. Dango, NEDA XI