JOINT RDC IX AND RPOC IX MEETING
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region IX in partnership with the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) IX successfully facilitated the conduct of the Joint Regional Development Council (RDC) IX and Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) IX Meeting conducted last June 14, 2019 at Jackie’s Hotel, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
The joint meeting was presided by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito D. Bautista, Cabinet Secretary for Regional Development and Security (CORDS) of the National Task Force on Ending Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).
In attendance were Ipil Municipal Mayor and RDC IX Chairperson Anamel C. Olegario, Zamboanga City Mayor and RPOC IX Chairperson Mayor Maria Isabelle G. Climaco, NEDA IX Regional Director and RDC IX Vice Chairperson Phlorita A. Ridao, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) IX Regional Director and RPOC IX Secretariat Head Paisal O. Abutazil, Vice Chairpersons and Co-Chairpersons and members of both Councils, among others, respectively.
The main agenda of the meeting was the presentation and discussion of Executive Order No. 70 – Institutionalizing the Whole of Nation Approach in Attaining Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Peace, Creating a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and Directing the Adoption of a National Peace Framework.
The twelve (12) Cluster National Task Force composed of twenty-one (21) member agencies each have roles and functions with the end-goal of putting an end to local insurgencies by 2022.
In line with the priorities and directives of the Duterte Administration, the RDCs and RPOCs in the country shall align, harmonize and integrate their efforts in the delivery of basic services and social development packages in conflict-affected areas and vulnerable communities, facilitate societal inclusivity, and ensure public participation of all sectors of society in pursuit of the country’s peace agenda.
Likewise, in the course of the meeting, the peace and order and threat situation in Zamboanga peninsula were presented by the representatives of the Philippine National Police and the 1st Infrantry Tabak Division, respectively.
On the other hand, the 2018 Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development report was presented by the RDC IX Secretariat for purposes of apprising the body of the status of the region’s economic standing viz-a-vis the overall national economic growth.
Following the presentations, issues and matters were raised and discussed with the objective of identifying strategies to address peace and security concerns geared towards regional development.