CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) -- The Luzon Regional Development Committee (RDC) has diligently discussed a wide range of proposals to spur development in the entire Luzon area.
The first proposal was raised by RDC MIMAROPA during the 3rd Quarter meeting of the council, which is chaired by Isabela Governor Rodolfo Albano III, held at Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) Corporate Center at Aeropark Clark Freeport Zone in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, recently.

RDC MIMAROPA said the development of ports and interconnectivity under the Strong Republic Nautical Highway which aims to enhance Luzon's regional integration by strategically focusing on critical areas such as port development, expansion of maritime routes, and the advancement of the Western Philippine Seaboard Highway will boost economic activity in Luzon.

The Luzon RDC chairperson said the unanimous endorsement of this visionary project underscored the need for comprehensive implementation strategies and the active participation from LGUs was encouraged, emphasizing the transformation of this initiative into a local development project.

Albano has urged LGUs to cluster through the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) and explore borrowing options, advocating a proactive pursuit of loans to fortify the said endeavor.

In the area of health programs, the body wants to address the prioritization of Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) in the allocation of Human Resources for Health (HRH) services, including the Doctor to the Barrios Program as proposed by RDC MIMAROPA and endorsed the initiative to the Local Government Units (LGUs).

On the discussion on the Status of Watersheds in Luzon, the Luzon RDC requested a comprehensive report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), including fund utilization, and covering critical watershed levels, to be disseminated to the Regional Development Councils (RDCs).

It emphasized the necessity for the complete implementation of the Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order on the allocation of essential funding to ensure effective healthcare services for underserved regions, marking a significant step toward equitable healthcare access in the Luzon area.

The DENR is encouraged to explore financing options from foreign countries to enhance the research efforts and enrich their findings.
Meanwhile, Luzon RDC participants also endorsed a proposal to address the rising cost of fertilizers, urging the Department of Agriculture (DA) to conduct soil studies for precise fertilizer selection.

The exploration of methods to mitigate expenses and enhance local production was emphasized to guarantee fertilizer availability, ensuring the agricultural sector's sustainable growth.

Further, the committee discussed the issue of Philippine Travel Tax Abolition contained in Senate Bill 76, which aims to abolish travel taxes for both Filipinos and ASEAN member states. (MGE / PIA Isabela)