GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews / 20 Feb) – The Regional Development Council (RDC) of Region 12 has endorsed for funding and implementation around P32.3-billion worth of proposed priority programs and projects in the region for next year.
City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio, RDC-12 chairperson, said Wednesday the proposed initiatives mainly comprise the investment programs for 2014 that were submitted to the council by the region’s 41 regional line agencies, five state colleges and universities (SUCs) and three government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).
Region 12, which is also known as the Soccsksargen Region, comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato as well as the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
“These are programs and projects that were deemed vital for the region’s socio-economic growth and development that should be prioritized for funding and implementation by the national government,” she said.
In a statement, Custodio said the endorsement was made by the RDC-12’s executive committee in response to the favorable recommendations issued by the council’s sectoral committees during an earlier simultaneous review of the proposed programs and projects.
She said the review process, which focused mainly on the proposed annual investment programs (AIP) of the 49 regional line agencies, SUCs and GOCCs, was in consonance with the RDC’s mandate as provided for in Executive Order No. 325 and in compliance with the directives contained in National Budget Memorandum No. 115 dated December 28, 2012.
During the review, representatives of the region’s provinces, cities and capital towns affirmed the relevance of the national government priority programs, projects and activities (PPAs) in their respective areas, she said.
She said the local government unit (LGU) representatives proposed for the funding and implementation of their priority PPAs to complement with the national government’s initiatives.
Based on a summary of the priority programs and projects that were endorsed by the council, the official said the social services component accounted for the bulk of the proposed funding at P17 billion, followed by agricultural and industry development at P9.65 billion.
It was followed by infrastructure support at P3.71 billion; sustained peace, development and security at P1.14 billion; good governance at P504.6 million; and greening and environment at P287 million.
Custodio said the lined up priority programs and projects will be incorporated in the region’s 2014 AIP.
With the completion of the review process for the region’s 2014 AIP, she added that they will also embark on another round of review and consultation for the 2014 budget proposals of the 49 regional line agencies, SUCs and GOCCs. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)
