Mindanao 2020 regional gab draws strong participation

Friday, December 19, 2008

AROUND 150 regional stakeholders from the Caraga Region joined the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco)-led regional consultation in Butuan City recently.

The move is an integral part of updating the Mindanao 2000 development framework plan and an initial step in the formulation of the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan.

The Mindanao 2020 regional consultation in Caraga highlighted the region’s peace and development imperatives as well as its remarkable economic performance for this year.

“The strong representation of Caraga bodes well for the region’s thrust in accelerating its socio-economic development and its commitment in integrating regional efforts into the Mindanao development agenda,” Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana, chair of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco), said.

Leyretana also noted the strong socio-economic performance of the region, as shown in the report of the National Economic Development Authority.

Neda-Caraga reported that it met its annual Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) target for the first time, with mining industry as the growth driver.

Improvement in telecommunications and barangay energization was also noted this year in the region.

Cellphone coverage is 100 percent in major highways, and various cellphone networks are now serving every municipality.

The report also revealed that around 97 percent of the region’s barangays are now energized.

A great improvement in road networks was also seen this year. Some of these priority projects, which are under the Mindanao Super Region, include the Surigao-Davao Coastal Road, Dinagat Island Road Network, and the upgrading of Siargao and Butuan airports, along with other projects like Strengthening Health Delivery Through Health Facility and Human Resources Development, and Sustainable Management of Coastal Resources, among others.

Regional consultations were also held simultaneously in other Mindanao regions.

“A comprehensive, updated, and long-term plan is more than timely and judicious given the unique needs and potentials of Mindanao,” Leyretana said.

He said that emerging development concerns, issues, and sectors like peace and security, information, and communications technology, policy reform and environment, among others, also need to be factored into this plan to make it holistic and multidimensional.

The formulation of the Mindanao 2020 Peace and Development Framework Plan will commence early next year.

The development plan will map out the necessary reforms over the next 12 years, prepare the island-economy for sustainable development, and assure Mindanawons a stake in the benefits stemming from socio-economic development.

The Mindanao 2000 assessment, which commenced in August 2008, is being supported by the Philippines Australia Human Resource Development Facility (PAHRDF), in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines sa Mindanao (DAP sa Mindanao), National Economic Development Authority (Neda), Regional Planning and Development Office (RPDO), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Regional Development Councils (RDCs), and the Regional Economic and Development Planning Board-Armm, Mindanao Lawmakers Association, and Mindanao Business Council (MinBC). (Medco)