CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) -- Determined to make Northern Mindanao an international gateway, leading agricultural hub, and major industrial, tourism and trade center in the country, the Regional Development Council (RDC-X) launched the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Plan (NMRDP) 2023-2028, Wednesday, June 21.

The NMRDP 2023-2028 serves as the region’s overall long-term development framework to contribute to the attainment of national development goals and priorities. 

Anchored on the 8-point socio-economic agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the NMRDP is geared towards deep economic and social transformation to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction for a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society.

It aims to develop and protect the capabilities of individuals and families in the region and to transform production sectors to generate more quality jobs and competitive products.

Among the RDP’s strategies are to boost health, improve education and lifelong learning, establish livable communities, increase income-earning ability, ensure food security and proper nutrition, and strengthen social protection.

It also seeks to modernize agriculture and agri-business; revitalize industry; reinvigorate services; advance research and development, technology and innovation; and promote trade and industry.

"The Northern Mindanao RDP as the region's development blueprint covers 21 chapters and sub-chapters which outline the region's vision goals, objectives and priority strategies, policies, programs and projects for the next six years. It lays down the intended actions for the planned period to steer the region back to its high growth path and sustainably reduce poverty and unemployment," said RDC-X vice chairperson Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño.

It was earlier reported that the region's economy expanded by 7.2% in 2022 surpassing its pre-pandemic GRDP level. Its services sector has also surged forward growing from 6.1% in 2021 to 10.1 % in 2022, becoming the region's primary engine of growth. Moreover, the region also remains the second largest contributor to the country's Agriculture, Fisheries and Foresty sector (AFF) and holds the 3rd highest per capita GDP next to NCR and CAR.

Cariño, who is also the regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-X said the NMRDP was formulated through a highly consultative and participative process

"This was undertaken under the auspices of the RDC-X through a series of regional and local planning consultations. We have RDC sector committee meetings, TWG meetings, focus group discussions, as well as, online public review of the RDP," she said.

The unveiling ceremony was held at SM CDO Downtown and attended by heads of regional line agencies, local government units, development partners, and sectoral representatives. (APB/PIA-10)