CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--A total of P301.36 billion budget was endorsed to the Regional Development Council (RDC)-10 to include catalytic projects for further development of the region, programs to mitigate impacts of typhoon Odette and COVID-19 and the recent Russia and Ukraine war.

In a CORDS X podcast episode, March 20, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño shared aside from the requirements for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and Personal Services (PS) Programs, the endorsed budget also included COVID 19 and Typhoon Odette regional recovery program.

Meanwhile, Convergence Areas for Peace and Development (CAPDev), capacity building for local government units (LGUs) in preparation for full devolution under Mandas-Garcia ruling, requirements under Balik Probinsya Bagong Pagasa program and to fund catalytic infra projects such as Panguil Bay Bridge, Bukidnon Development Airport, expansion of the Laguindingan airport are also included.

Further, there are 209 priority Programs Projects and Activities (PPAs) amounting close to P77B, the director said.

“We have to strengthen the domestic economy, provide people with more jobs and opportunities,” she added, noting that the shift of our country to alert level 1, to reopen all schools for face to face learning can increase productivity to domestic economy and external risk.

The NEDA’s proposed 10 point policy to accelerate and sustain economic recovery in 2022 and beyond include the use of accurate and up to date data, vaccination, health care capacity, economy and mobility schooling fully opened to face to face. Then, domestic travel, international travel, transformation, pandemic flexibility and medium term preparation for pandemic resilience.

Cariño said in the region’s recovery, resilience will be improved to build back better.

“Kung naa man gani another pandemic muabot, dili na kaayo ing-ana kadako ang impact because we have made our communities, individuals and businesses more resilient. We are confident that our region will recover from COVID-19,” she said.

(If there will be another pandemic to come, the impact will not be too enormous because we have made our communities, individuals and businesses more resilient. We are confident that our region will recover from COVID-19)

“Whatever changes will come with the new administration for 2022, after the May 9 election, we are committed, we want to assure our people that we are committed to attain our AMBISYON NATIN 2040 that all of us has a strong, comfortable and life with certainty,” Cariño said. (JMOR/PIA-10)