GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PIA) – The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Region 12 has assured the public that the selection process of private sector representatives (PSRs) to sit as members of the Regional Development Council (RDC) is fair, inclusive, and honest.
NEDA serves as the secretariat of the RDC, providing technical, administrative, and financial support, including guiding the council in the performance of its mandate.
NEDA Assistant Regional Director Rommel Patrick E. Tanghal maintained that the selection of PSRs underscores the importance of private sector involvement in governance, allowing businesses and industries to actively participate in shaping regional policies and programs.
“Ang selection process po natin ay comprehensive. May proseso at mga panuntunan tayong sinusunod upang matiyak na ang mga nominado ay tunay na nagmumula sa pribadong sektor,” he said during a recent episode of “Kapihan sa PIA 12” in General Santos City
(Our selection process is comprehensive. We follow specific procedures and guidelines to ensure that nominees truly come from the private sector.)
Tanghal stressed the crucial role of the private sector in regional development and decision-making, emphasizing the need for transparent and comprehensive selection processes.
Senior Economic Development Specialist Michael BJ S. Abellana further explained that NEDA does not handpick the representatives.
“Hindi po kami ang pumipili kung sino ang magiging kinatawan. Dumadaan ito sa nominasyon at eleksyon upang matiyak na ang boses ng pribadong sektor ang nangingibabaw,” he said.
(We do not choose who will be the representative. It undergoes a nomination and election process to ensure that the private sector’s voice prevails.)
Abellana also highlighted that the private sector selection involves multiple industries, including business, manufacturing, and transport.
NEDA, he added, aims to encourage more participation to ensure a diverse and well-represented council.
Senior Economic Development Specialist Jose Anthony Laurent P. Octavio elaborated further on the process, stressing that the selection involves both geographic and sectoral representatives.
“Bawat lalawigan sa ating rehiyon ay may representative, at pipili rin tayo ng pitong sectoral representatives mula sa iba’t ibang sektor ng pribadong industriya,” he said.
(Each province in our region has a representative, and we will also select seven sectoral representatives from different private industries.)
Meanwhile, General Santos City’s PSR election is scheduled for May 2025.
NEDA reiterated its commitment to facilitating a selection fair process and ensuring that only qualified nominees participate.
“Ang aming tungkulin ay i-facilitate ang proseso at tiyakin na kwalipikado ang mga nominado, upang ang pribadong sektor ang tunay na kumatawan sa kanilang sektor,” Tanghal reiterated further.
(Our role is to facilitate the process and ensure that the nominees are qualified so that the private sector truly represents their respective sector.) (HJPF – PIA SarGen)
