RDC-XI sets priority programs in 2015

DAVAO CITY, Feb. 04 (PIA) – Preparing for the ASEAN Economic Community Integration is among the priorities set by the Regional Development Council and the National Economic and Development Authority in Davao Region this year.

Davao del Norte Governor and RDC-XI chair Rodolfo del Rosario said the Council continues to undertake initiatives to prepare the region for the AEC integration and ensure that the region gets the opportunities of this major economic shift.

Part of the preparations for the AEC integration includes the creation of the AEC Special Committee under RDC-XI and the implementation of the Davao Region Industry Cluster Roadmap with 17 priority industries.

On Tuesday’s Kapihan sa PIA-XI, Del Rosario also announced that the Council and NEDA-XI will continue the efforts in strengthening the competitiveness of the region, updating the Human Resource Development Plan, and the creation of the Web-based inventory of Public Lands Suitable for Investments.

The Governor said big investment projects will be closely monitored this year, citing the 300-megawatt coal fired power plant of Therma South of Aboitiz Power which is being completed in the boundaries of Davao City and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

He said the plant will start operation and will give additional power supply in Davao Region first quarter of this year.

Another ongoing private investment is the coal fired power plant of San Miguel Consolidated Power Corporation in Malita, Davao Occidental which is estimated to be completed in 2016.

NEDA-XI regional director Ma. Lourdes Lim said SMC’s P25 billion 300-megawatt (MW) coal fired power plant was the biggest single investment in 2013.

Aside from the AEC integration preparations, Lim bared several ongoing priority programs and projects in the region this year. 

She said a P266 million funding will be poured to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-XI) for the implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program with more than 155, 932 target beneficiaries in the region.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-XI) has several ongoing infrastructure projects on hand which include the Lacson-Lamanan-Inayangan-Megkawayan Road in Davao City with P289-million budget.

Another DPWH-XI projects, are the reconstruction of Gov. Teodoro Palma Gil Bridge in Caraga, Davao Oriental costing P215 million, and the improvement of the Island Garden City of Samal Circumferential Road, Davao del Norte with P200 million funding as support to infrastructure program of the tourism industry in the island.

In Davao del Sur, DPWH-XI has been allocated a P202.35 million budget for the improvement of the Cogon-Kapatagan-Mainit Road leading to Mt. Apo, Camp Sabros, Mt. Apo Highland Resort, Tudaya Falls in Digos City.

Lim also bared that projects under the Private-Public Partnership program will benefit most number of beneficiaries in the region.

She cited the Francisco Bangoy International Airport modernization and development project which has a funding of P40.57 billion and the Davao Sasa Port modernization project with P18.9 billion budget. Both are in the bidding process.

The other PPP projects are the Tamugan Surface Water Facility which Lim said was already awarded to the Davao City Water District (DCWD), the Tagum Bulk Water Facility for the Tagum Water District and the proposed Southern Mindanao Economic Corridor Improvement Project (Davao City Bypass Construction Project) Tunnel O&M Component. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)