CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Regional Office X, in partnership with the local government units of Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, and Misamis Oriental provinces and Iligan City, staged local roadshows for the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Plan (NMRDP) 2023-2028 from 4 September to 3 October 2023. 

The roadshows for Camiguin and Misamis Occidental provinces and Cagayan de Oro City are set for the rest of October 2023. 

NEDA-X Regional Director and Regional Development Council (RDC)-X Vice Chair, Mylah Faye Aurora B. Cariño, shared with the localities that “the NMRDP 2023-2028 embodies the people’s collective aspiration for Northern Mindanao to become an international gateway, leading agricultural hub, and major industrial, tourism, and trade center in the Philippines.” 

Cariño further highlighted the roles and potentials of each locality in realizing the regional vision. Northern Mindanao has four Strategic Development Areas (SDA), agglomerations that consider the commonality of resources, potentials, and concerns to effect more focused interventions. These are: 

SDA 1: Realizing the Cagayan-Iligan Industrial and Trade Corridor; 

SDA 2: Capitalizing on the Agri-fishery and Eco-Cultural Tourism Endowments of Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental; 

SDA 3: Boosting Agri-business Ventures and Eco-Tourism in Bukidnon; and  

SDA 4: Harnessing the Gingoog-Camiguin Tourism Adventure Loop. 

A product of extensive and multi-stakeholder consultations in 2022 and mid-2023, said plan serves as the blueprint for the development of Northern Mindanao. The document, which contains 21 chapters and subchapters, covers region-specific strategies in contributing to the attainment of the three thematic objectives of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028: (1) Develop and protect the capabilities of individuals and families; (2) Transform production sectors to generate more quality jobs and competitive products; and (3) Foster an enabling environment encompassing institutions, physical, and natural environment. 

Local Chief Executives Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte Governor and RDC-X Chair; Allan J. Lim, Lanao del Norte Vice Governor; Rogelio Neil P. Roque, Bukidnon Governor and RDC-X Macro and Development Administration Committee Chair; Clive D. Quiño, Bukidnon Vice Governor; Peter M. Unabia, Misamis Oriental Governor and RDC-X Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee Chair; Jeremy Jonahmar G. Pelaez, Misamis Oriental Vice Governor; and Marianito D. Alemania, Iligan City Vice Mayor were in full attendance, committing to support the implementation of programs, projects, and activities laid out in the NMRDP 2023-2028. 

The NEDA-X, together with the RDC-X, held a regional ceremonial launch of the NMRDP 2023-2028 earlier on 21 June 2023 at SM CDO Downtown Premier, Cagayan de Oro City. 

The plan may be accessed through this link: https://nro10.neda.gov. ph/regional-development-plans/  (NEDA-X/PIA-10)