CEBU CITY, CEBU (PIA) – The Central Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC 7) has officially endorsed the proposed annual budgets of regional line agencies and state universities and colleges for inclusion in their respective central office allocations for 2026.
The council also approved the integration of priority programs, activities, and projects (PAPs) into the Central Visayas Regional Development Investment Program.
The endorsements were finalized during RDC 7’s 1st Quarter Full Council Meeting on March 13, following rigorous technical reviews, sectoral committee deliberations, and recommendations from local development councils.
Hosted by the Cebu provincial government, the meeting focused on aligning regional priorities with national development objectives.
RDC7 co-chairperson and Infrastructure Development Committee chairperson Kenneth Cobonpue, who presided over the meeting on behalf of RDC Chair and Bohol Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado, emphasized the significance of these PAPs and budgets.
“These initiatives are essential in achieving our goal of a progressive, inclusive, and resilient Central Visayas,” Cobonpue said.
Meanwhile, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia stressed the importance of securing the endorsements of the RDC and local government units to ensure that agency PAPs align with provincial development strategies.
“This is a testament to our collective effort to drive sustained progress and elevate Cebu’s development trajectory,” Garcia said.
She underscored the growing importance of regional cooperation, noting that with only two provinces comprising Central Visayas – Cebu and Bohol – stronger collaboration is crucial for sustained growth.
RDC7 also approved the 2024 Central Visayas Regional Development Report and several key resolutions, including:
• A review request for the Expanded Solo Parents Act,
• A Master Plan Study proposal for the Metro Bohol Growth Area,
• A project funding request under the Department of Energy’s ER 1-94 program, and
• A list of 217 projects for monitoring by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee in 2025.
During the session, Economic Development Committee chair Melanie Ng and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 7 assistant regional director Tristan Abando were nominated as Central Visayas representatives for the 2025 Filipinnovation Awards’ sub-national committee for the Visayas cluster. (MYP/PIA7 Cebu)
