CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A total of P133.34 billion will be used to fund Northern Mindanao’s priority programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) as the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Council approved the Annual Investment Program (AIP) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 during its 128th Full Council meeting via zoom video conferencing.
This is the Council’s first hybrid meeting after nearly two years of meeting virtually.
The AIP 2023 aims to spur the region’s socio-economic development and fund priority PPAs of the Northern Mindanao COVID-19 Regional Recovery Program (RRP), EO 70 (s. 2018), which institutionalizes the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace and development, and Balik Probinsya Bagong Pagasa Program (BP2), among others.
The Updated Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 and Regional Development Plan Midterm Update as guidepost towards a resilient and healthy recovery from the CoVID-19 pandemic, and the anticipated metropolitanization of Cagayan de Oro require a comprehensive review of existing programs and projects funded by the National Government, and the identification of resources that need to be increased, refocused or rechanneled for priority funding in the fiscal year 2023.
RDC-X Chairperson and Misamis Occidental Governor Philip T. Tan thanked the Council members for their sustained support to the region’s development efforts.
“In the deliberation of our activities and corresponding investments for the years to come, let us stretch our creative muscles and think of new and better ways of doing things. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed into plain view the fact that our existing economic system is no longer working, hence we need to adapt fast in order to realize our goal of a healthy and resilient Philippines,” he said.
Also approved during the meeting are the Updated Regional Development Investment Program 2017-2022, guidelines for the preparation of FY 2023 budget proposals of government agencies and the RDC-X Regional Budget Review Activities, and the FY 2022 RDC-X Priority Development Thrusts, Work and Financial Plan and Calendar, among others.
Dir. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr., MD, MPH, CESO III, Regional Director of the Department of Health in the region, provided updates on the COVID-19 vaccination coverage in Region X. He thanked all partners who supported the Bayanihan Bakunahan held on 29 November – 1 December 2021.
He likewise announced that the region is expected to achieve 60 to 70 percent herd immunity by end of December 2021. This is with the assumption that 20 percent of the individuals who have received their first dose of vaccination (80 percent) in November will have their second dose in December. Dir. Llacuna added that the region is not listed as a region of concern regarding immunization accomplishments.
“This means that we are doing well. Nevertheless, we should give the same vigorous and enthusiastic response to the national call for immunization. Kung kita bakunado, kita protektado. Ubanan sa atong pag-ampo, mahimong mahimsog ug malipayon ang atong pasko,” he said.
The Council also recognized the awardees of the Search for 2021 Outstanding COVID-19 Volunteers, as well as former and outgoing officers and members of the RDC-X and its sector committees. (NEDA10)
