Philippines development plan set for launch in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - As the Central Visayas Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017–2022 has been completed, the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017–2022 is also set to be launched in Cebu City on August 4.

The RDP is the development blueprint of the region patterned after the national plan the PDP.

The PDP launch will be held at the Cebu Normal University.

Efren Carreon, regional chief of the National Economic and Development Authority, said after the RDP, a Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP) is also targeted to be completed before year's end.

He said the RDIP is to contain the projects particularly infrastructure development planned for Central Visayas for the next six years.

"These are line-up of projects for the region," he said.

Meanwhile, the PDP is anchored on the Duterte administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda and is the first medium-term development plan geared towards the country’s long-term vision, AmBisyon Natin 2040.

“These regional roadshows are part of the agency’s efforts to vigorously promote the implementation of the PDP, which was approved by the NEDA Board in February and publicly launched on June 2. The RDPs complement the PDP in promoting inclusive growth, as these focus on regional challenges while being aligned with the national plan,” Economic Planning Chief Ernesto Pernia said in a statement.

He said the RDPs were crafted through intensive multi-sector and multilevel consultations.

Under the 2017-2022 RDP, Carreon said the Central Visayas economy is projected to grow by an annual average of 7.5-8 percent in the next six years.

The region's growth had averaged by 7.5 percent in the last six years, the fastest among the regions in the country.

The Regional Development Council (RDC) has endorsed a total of P450.1 billion worth of projects in Central Visayas for 2018.

Of the total amount, P110.3 billion will be for infrastructure projects, P4.5 billion for economic-related programs, P289.9 for the development administration sector, and P45.4 billion for social services.

However, the Congress is still to approve the final budget for Region 7. (FREEMAN)