RDC okays 2013 budget of Central Luzon gov't agencies

The Regional Development Council has passed a resolution favorably endorsing the 2013 budget of the Central Luzon offices of some national government agencies.

Approved funds include the Department of Interior and Local Government - Php 165.579 million, Department of Agrarian Reform Php P855.909 million, Department of Agriculture- Php930.1 million, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Php 1.39 billion, Department of Trade and Industry - Php 147.63 million, Department of Science and Technology- Php60.51 million, Department of Public Works and Highways- Php 9.962 billion, Department of Education - Php 34.604 billion, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority- Php 113.747 million, Department of Social Welfare and Development- Php620.901 million, Department of Health- Php 2.10 billion, and Department of Labor and Employment- Php 148.264 million.

In a statement, RDC 3 said, "The review and endorsement to the national government of the annual budgets of the these agency regional offices as well as of state universities and colleges and special development authorities is pursuant to Section 4.d of Executive Order 325 of former president Fidel Ramos."

"Such review of RDC was mandated to ensure transparency as well as consistency of the utilization of funds to the development goals of Central Luzon in general as stated in the Regional Development Plan and the seven provinces within the region namely Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales in particular" the council added.

Among the development goals of the region and the provinces are building globally competitive, progressive and resilient citizenry; minimizing natural disaster casualties and economic losses; promoting sustainable land use activities; ensuring food security; reducing extreme poverty; and maintaining conflict-free and safe communities.

DILG will utilize a portion of its fund next year for the computerization of business permit and licensing systems of low-income municipalities while DTI will allocate around P5 million for the establishment of a Regional Product Development and Design Training Center.

Moreover, DepEd targets the creation of 16,855 teaching and 15 non-teaching positions which are needed in the implementation of its K + 12 Basic Education curriculum and Alternative Delivery Mode program while DOH eyes the upgrading of Mariveles Mental Hospital.

RDC 3 is the highest policy-making body in Central Luzon and serves as the counterpart of the NEDA Board at the subnational level.

It is the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region and serves as a forum where local efforts can be related and integrated with national development activities.

Council members include all governors, city mayors, municipal mayors of capital towns, presidents of municipal mayors' league, regional directors of national government agencies and representatives from the private sector. - PIA — ARA