SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The Ilocos Region received P8.85 billion for priority development projects in 2023, according to the Regional Development Council (RDC) 1's Year-End Regional Project Monitoring and Evaluation System (RPMES) Monitoring Report.

The funds were allocated to 121 programs and projects implemented by 19 regional line agencies, four government-owned and controlled corporations, four state universities and colleges, and three provincial governments.
 
Around 89 projects have been completed, with the majority benefiting the economic sector.
 
The social sector received the second-highest allocation, followed by infrastructure, environment, and governance.
 
The remaining 32 projects are still ongoing.
 
More than half (64.64 percent) of the total budget, or P5.72 billion, was allocated to the social sector.
 
The infrastructure sector received P1.98 billion (22.33 percent), while the economic sector got P1.1 billion (12.57 percent).
 
The environment and governance sectors received P31 million and P10 million, respectively.
 
The funded projects generated employment for 13,960 individuals, comprising 13,578 men and 382 women.
 
Additionally, the projects benefited around 185,078 groups and 1,228,855 individuals, comprising  670,771 women and 558,084 men.

The report is part of the government's initiative to monitor and evaluate programs and projects, ensuring transparency and accountability.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Region 1 Regional Director and Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) Chairperson, Stephanie Christiansen said that the report is in adherence to Executive Order (EO) No. 376, series of 1989, which mandates the evaluation and monitoring of programs and projects to the RDCs through its RPMCs.
 
Under the EO, the RPMCs, under the RDCs, were also established for the implementation of the RPMES at the regional level.
 
Christiansen emphasized the importance of disseminating this information to stakeholders and development partners.
 
“The RPMC of Region 1 is committed to providing relevant information on project monitoring and evaluation of stakeholders efficiently. As such, the dissemination of RPMES reports is deemed important in apprising our stakeholders and development partners,” Christiansen said. (JCR/AMB/MJTAB/CCMT, PIA La Union)