CEBU CITY, Cebu, June 23 (PIA) -- As the Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 wrapped up its last meeting on June 23 under current chair businessman Kenneth Cobonpue, it boasted of over 280 resolutions that were passed starting in the 3rd quarter of 2019 until the first quarter of 2022 despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A total of 289 resolutions were passed from the 3rd quarter of 2019 until the first quarter, this year. This is quite high considering that the average number is around 90 and 100,” reported RDC7 Vice Chair Efren Carreon, regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 7.

Carreon said 33% of programs, activities and projects (PAPs) of regional line agencies were endorsed to their respective head offices for inclusion of budget allocation.

The RDC7 was also able to initiate despite the challenges of the pandemic 15 webinars, peer talks, fora, and trainings between 2020 to 2021.

But during its last meeting, the five different committees further requested for the full council’s endorsement on 11 resolutions which were subsequently approved.

The five committees are the Development Administration, Economic Development, Social Development, Infrastructure Development and Environment.

Among the approved resolutions of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) were the support to the implementation of RA 9501 or the Magna Carta for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the dissemination and regular updating of the E-Factbook prepared by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) 7.

In support to the MSMEs, the EDC resolution requested the local government units in Central Visayas to pass a “Buy Local” Ordinance with provisions on the allocation of at least 10% of the LGU’s total annual value of procured goods and services to be supplied from eligible MSMEs.

Regional line agencies, state universities and colleges, and other government instrumentalities are also enjoined to allocate the same, of at least 10% of their total annual value of procured goods to be supplied from MSMEs.

The DTI7’s Central Visayas Economic Factbook or E-Factbook, a digital publication and one-stop source of information for investors and entrepreneurs, is also a useful resource for dissemination to all stakeholders in the region, said Virgilio Espeleta, EDC chair who presented the resolutions.

“There is a need to support the dissemination and regular updating of the E-Factbook,” said Espeleta, as he urged regional line agencies, LGUs, utility companies, and chambers of commerce in the region to regularly provide updated data to the DTI7.

Other resolutions that were passed include the request for provinces and highly urbanized cities in the region to pass a comprehensive airport safety and security ordinance as well as environmental protection ordinances and a call for sustained advocacy for effective solid waste management by LGUs and regional line agencies.

Also approved were the resolutions from the Social Development Committee that proposed for remedial legislation or executive measures providing penalties for individuals and corporate entities that accept 4Ps card as loan collateral and the revitalization of the Milk Code implementation in the region.

Also presented in the meeting were the recommendations for the next RDC term to act on, including the following: secure approval from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of the Typhoon Odette rehabilitation and recovery program and commitment for funding support and to fast-track approval of the request for the increase in costs of the following projects already approved by the NEDA Board – Investment Coordination Committee such as the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit and the New Cebu International Container Port.

The next RDC term should also pursue the implementation and completion of the following projects - New Dumaguete Airport Development Project; Tagbilaran-Panglao, Bohol Offshore Bridge Connector; Mandaue-Lapulapu 4th Bridge and Coastal Road Project; and Metro Cebu Flood Control Project.

Before the meeting ended, an awarding of gavels and plaques of appreciation was done to recognize the RDC7 officers and private sector representatives for their support. (FCR/PIA7)