Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation No. 1164 series of 1998 which declares the fourth week of September every year as the Regional Development Council’s (RDC) week in commemoration of the creation of RDCs in the regions.

This year marks the 51st celebration since the creation of RDC. This year’s celebration is anchored on the theme, “Kayang-Kaya basta nagkahiusa:Moving towards a stronger and VIBRANT ZamPen”.

As the region embarks another milestone of accomplishing the 2017-2022 regional development plan, which is anchored on the zero to ten-point socio economic agenda. The RDC, as the key factor for regional development planning, integrated local planning, and programming have accomplished numerous development initiatives to help attain the country’s long-term vision of a Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na buhay para sa lahat.

One of the notable accomplishments of the region is the continued improvement of infrastructures. According to the latest Regional Development Report (RDR) in 2022, the infrastructure sector has continued to significantly improve its overall performance. Widening of national roads along priority corridors with complete features to at least four lanes has shown significant accomplishment in the recent year.

As the region envisions to be “The Center for Sustainable Agri-Fishery Industries in the Philippines”, the agriculture, forestry, and fishery (AFF) sector has contributed to expanding economic opportunities in ZamPen. Based on the 2022 RDR, the AFF sector posted a positive growth rate and provided a significant share in the region’s Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP), which measures the region’s economic performance.

This year’s celebration calls for a pro-active participation of the overall society, as the region shapes its second medium term plan for 2023-2028, which focus on addressing inflation thereby stimulating economic transformation in the region. (NBE/SBM/PIA9-Zamboanga del Sur)