BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Development Council Executive Committee endorsed the inclusion of CAR Congressmen as members of the RDC on September 16. The request of the CAR Congressmen to be members of the RDC was raised during the RDC Advisory Committee meeting on August 14 where the annual budget and legislative agenda of the region were discussed.
RDC Development Administration Committee Chairman and DILG-CAR Regional Director Marlo Iringan said he sees no downside to having the CAR Congressmen as members of the RDC and that having them would enhance regional development coordination. Iringan cited that the development councils in the barangay, municipal, city, and provincial levels all have the Congressmen as members.
The Executive Committee added that having the Cordillera legislators as members of the RDC would help the Cordillera region in pursuing regional autonomy.
The Executive Committee also said in a resolution that the expanded role of the Congressmen in the RDC “shall establish and further strengthen the harmonious working relations and closer coordination of the RDC members with the CAR Representatives”. The resolution further states that “the needed development of the region is addressed through the harmonization of the programs and projects with legislative agenda of the Congressmen.”
Relatedly, NEDA-CAR, the RDC Secretariat, has scheduled an orientation in November where the RDC members will be oriented on the basic functions and operations of the RDC and its role in spearheading the renewed pursuit of Cordillera autonomy based on RDC Resolution No. CAR-06 series of 2006. The RDC adopted Cordillera Autonomy as the central theme of regional development and is considered the best way for the region to achieve sustainable development and a just and lasting peace.
By NEDA-CAR
