BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC), led by the Chair and DSWD-CAR Regional Director Janet Armas, focuses the efforts of the committee for social development by prioritizing the municipalities of Tineg, Abra; Calanasan, Apayao; Bakun, Benguet; Tinoc, Ifugao; Pasil, Kalinga; and Paracelis, Mountain Province for the next 3 years. This was announced during the 1st quarter RSDC meeting on March 26 after the Chair declared the successful implementation of the first convergence program for poor municipalities of Malibcong, Abra; Kabugao, Apayao; Kibungan, Benguet; Banaue, Ifugao; Tinglayan, Kalinga; and Sadanga, Mountain Province in the past 3 years.
The RSDC spearheaded efforts in addressing several social development issues in 2018. NEDA-CAR, as Regional Development Council technical secretariat, presented the accomplishments of the Committee. Four resolutions were passed in 2018, most significant of which is the support for the bill creating the Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education which was recently passed into law.
The Committee continued the information dissemination of its advocacies such as the Unconditional Cash Transfer Program, the hiring of licensed social workers, K-12 implementation, reproductive health, and the region’s pursuit of autonomy through presentations in various events.
In continuing the regional social development, the housing subcommittee urged the body to endorse the expansion of the functions of local housing boards in Cordillera LGUs of which only about 20 out of the existing 80 boards are operational.
Currently, the local housing boards of LGUs only have a limited function of eviction and demolition. The Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Regional Coordinator Michelline Inay proposed the expansion of the functions of the housing boards to include the establishment of a one-stop shop for processing housing permits, assisting LGUs in various housing plans, and facilitating beneficiaries of housing programs, among others.
By Marlo T. Lubguban
