ODIONGAN, Romblon (PIA) -- The improvement of seaports and airports in the province of Romblon and the installation of submarine power cables from Panay are part of the Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 of the Mimaropa region.

National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) presented the plan's highlights, including Mimaropa's regional development investment plan for the same year. Of more than 950 projects and programs in the region, 8% will be implemented in the province of Romblon with a total budget of P11.8 billion.

The RDP 2023-2028, part of the series of four medium-term development plans in the region, aligns with the long-term vision "Ambisyon Natin 2040" and the international commitment to the "2030 Sustainable Development Goals" in the Philippines. In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration's 8-point socioeconomic agenda, NEDA identifies the RDP as the strategic blueprint that will reignite Mimaropa's previous high-growth trajectory.

These development plans focus on the goal of returning to a high growth level of Gross Regional Domestic Product, keeping food affordable and overall prices stable, ensuring food security, providing stable access to electricity, reducing poverty, generating jobs, improving access and connectivity, and ensuring human capital development.

The plan involves an integrated highway network connecting Luzon Island and Mimaropa provinces. This highway will link Quezon province and Marinduque via a bridge, followed by a ferry route to Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro. Another ferry route will connect Roxas, Oriental Mindoro to Odiongan, Romblon. The highway will traverse Santa Fe, Romblon, San Jose, Romblon, and reach Caticlan, Aklan.

Also, part of the plan is the Romblon Airport Development Project worth P689 million, and the Corcuera Port Development Project worth P200 million. These projects are expected to boost the tourism and commerce industry in the province.

To provide stable access to electricity in the province, NEDA Mimaropa Regional Director Agustin Mendoza said that the plan also includes connecting the islands of Carabao, Tablas, Romblon, and Sibuyan to National Grid Corp. of the Philippines's Visayas Grid.

"Nandito na 'yung policy framework, policy initiative, 'yung implementation and with the cooperation of the LGUs, the province, congress, as well as the regional line agencies, and NEDA, ma-achieve natin 'yung Ambisyon Natin 2040 for Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay," according to the regional director.

Meanwhile, Romblon Governor Jose Riano, currently the Regional Development Council chairman, said that the whole province is one with NEDA in achieving the goal of Ambisyon Natin 2040.

"I am confident that together we can remain resilient and thriving despite challenges through the implementation of the Mimaropa Regional Development Plan 2023-2028," according to Riano.

Riano, Vice Governor Arming Gutierrez, and Congressman Eleandro Madrona along with other officials of the provincial and local government witnessed the presentation and unveiling of the new Regional Development Plan on Wednesday, October 26, at Romblon, Romblon. (PJF/PIA Mimaropa - Romblon)