CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with officials of the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Council (RDC) on April 22 at the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) Camp Evangelista here.
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, along with Undersecretaries Joseph J. Capuno and Carlos Bernardo O. Abad Santos, also attended the meeting.
The meeting focused on strengthening coordination between national agencies and local governments to address development issues in the region. The President also led the inauguration of the Balingoan Port Expansion Project in Misamis Oriental.
RDC officials, including Misamis Oriental Governor and RDC Infrastructure and Utilities Development Committee Chairperson Peter M. Unabia, raised key concerns such as the region’s high rate of teenage pregnancy, classroom shortages, and the need to revitalize the manufacturing sector, particularly in agri-based industries.
The RDC also presented policy recommendations to resolve land tenure issues, promote innovation, and support infrastructure projects including the proposed integrated steel mill and the expansion of Laguindingan Airport.
Updates were also presented on major regional projects, including the Panguil Bay Bridge, the Cagayan de Oro River Flood Risk Management Project, and the near completion of the Cagayan de Oro Coastal Road.
The President reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive regional development and underscored the critical role of responsive and coordinated governance through strengthened Regional Development Councils. (NEDA-10/PIA-10)
