RDC XI 3rd Quarterly Meeting Tackles the Bangsamoro Basic Law

Davao City – Chaired by Governor Rodolfo P. del Rosario of Davao del Norte, the Regional Development Council XI conducted its 3rd Regular Quarterly Meeting on 29 September 2014 at the NEDA-RDC XI Center. 

In celebration of the Peace Consciousness Month, the Council was given an orientation on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) (House Bill 4994/Senate Bill 2804) that was already submitted to Congress on 10 September 2014.  Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).  Undersecretary Jose Yusuf I. Lorena served as the resource speaker on the BBL draft.  He said that the purpose of the BBL is to  establish a political entity, and provide for its basic structure of government in recognition of the justness and legitimacy of the cause of the Bangsamoro people and their aspiration to chart their political future through a democratic process that will secure their identity and posterity and allow for meaningful self-governance.

Among the concerns raised by the Council members on the BBL was regarding the Indigenous People’s rights, to which USec. Lorena replied that the Bangsamoro Government shall recognize these rights and shall adopt measures for their promotion and protection.

The meeting likewise resulted in, among others, the Council’s approval of the Updated Davao Region Development Research Agenda (UDRDRA), 2014-2016,  the guidelines for the preparation of the CY 2016 Davao Region Annual Investment Program (AIP) and the endorsement  for of a pre-feasibility study on Tagum City’s proposed Green Integrated Wastewater Management Project.

The Updated Davao Region Development Research Agenda, 2014-2016 contains the research requirements of the Updated Davao Regional Development Plan (UDRDP), 2014-2016.   The UDRDRA is intended to aid in the effective implementation of the UDRDP, as it provides clear and focused research directions toward boosting the Region’s productivity and competitiveness, and serving as guidepost for collective investments on major R&D activities.
The guidelines on the preparation and review of the Regional CY 2016 Annual Investment Program  directs all regional line agencies, (RLAs) state universities and colleges (SUCs),  and government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) in Davao Region to prioritize the programs, activities and projects for implementation in 2016.  These guidelines aim to improve the capacities of agencies in results-based investment programming for Davao Region by identifying priority projects that directly contribute to the attainment of the UDRDP outcomes for 2016 and their purposive inclusion in the budget proposals of agencies.  It shall also provide for the geographic breakdown of sectoral priority projects to ensure that the appropriate assistance is channeled to where it is intended.

The Green Integrated Wastewater Management Project of Tagum City for Grant Assistance under the Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA)   shall safeguard public health, water resources and the environment.    The establishment of a septage treatment plant for Tagum City is aimed at improving sanitation infrastructure and capacity in urban management, improve surface and groundwater quality, explore and promote the reuse of treated wastewater and bio-solids for the agriculture industry, and promote private sector participation in the provision of urban services.
Other actions taken by the Council were the approval of the conduct of pre-feasibility studies on the Davao Gulf Integrated Port Complex project proposal and the Davao-Samal Bridge Project.

Also in an effort to decisively address a perennial cause of delay in the implementation of government infrastructure projects, the Council adopted a policy to require under its guidelines for its annual investment programming and review of national agency budget proposals a certification of right-of-way clearance from agencies implementing such projects.  The Council also advised implementing agencies experiencing peace and security issues to closely coordinate with the AFP/PNP regarding the security of the projects. 

To improve peace and order and public safety, the Council recommended to DILG XI to issue a circular enjoining all local government units to make their Peace and Order Councils functional as these shall be the venues for dialogues and deliberation of major issues and problems affecting peace and order.

These Council actions are all aimed at pursuing the development outcomes and directions of Davao Region as espoused in the Updated Davao Region Development Plan, 2014-2016. (PFPD, NEDA XI)