RDC-9 approves P46.91-B budget for FY 2015

By Alma L. Tingcang

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 has approved the proposed P46.91 billion budget for 2015 programs and projects of regional line agencies (RLAs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs) during its 146th meeting held recently at Roderic’s Resort, this municipality.

The proposed 2015 budget was approved after careful and thorough review by the council to ensure that resources poured into the region are aligned with the development priorities enunciated in the Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen) Regional Development Plan. 

It is 82 percent higher than the P25.72 billion budget of 2014 as proposed by 21 RLAs and 6 SUCs in the region.

Ms. Teresita Socorro C. Ramos, Acting RDC-9 Chairperson and NEDA-9 Regional Director expressed her gratitude to the members for their active participation in all RDC-9 activities in support to the Regional Development Plan 2014-2016.

Dir. Ramos emphasized during the meeting to highlight the celebration of Women’s Month, the support of the council for Gender and Development as some of the priorities in the 2015 budget.

A total of 45 resolutions were passed by the council during the meeting, including the endorsement of Department of Agrarian Reform 9’s (DAR-9) Reduction of Local Government Unit Counterpart for Agrarian Reform Communities Development Project (ARCDP) II.

Other matters discussed during the meeting were: sectoral concerns that impede the promising growth of the region’s economy; the creation of the Philippine Rubber Industry Development Authority; Conversion of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources into a Department; Updates on National Greening Program; National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTSPR); Technical Vocational (TechVoc) Policy Implications of the K-to-12 Enhanced Basic Education; Creation of Regional Task Force on ASEAN Integration 2015 and other relevant issues.