1.   WHAT IS THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL?

The Regional Development Council (RDC) is the highest policy-making body in the region and serves as the counterpart of the NEDA Board at the subnational level.

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

2.   WHY WAS THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL CREATED?

The RDC was created in answer to the need for a single regional planning body whose main concern is the overall socio-economic development of the region.

3.   WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANNING?

Regional development planning is necessary to address the uneven economic and social development in the country.  This stems from the recognition that the economic and social gains achieved so far have been unevenly distributed such that much of the progress has been concentrated in a few regions.

4.   WHAT ARE THE BASES FOR THE CREATION AND OPERATION OF THE  RDC?

The RDC was established by virtue of Letter of Implementation No. 22 issued on 31 December 1972 pursuant to the implementation of the Integrated Reorganization Plan of  1972.  Its present constitutional foundation rests on Article X, Section 14 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which states that:

“The President shall provide for regional development councils, or other similar bodies composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments and other offices, and representatives from non-government organizations within the region for purposes of administrative decentralization to strengthen the autonomy of units therein and to accelerate the economic and social development of the units in the region.”

To carry out this provision, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Executive Order 308 on 05 November 1987, which reorganized the RDC.  Subsequent amendments include EOs 318 (s.1988), 347 and 366 (s. 1989), 455 (s.1991) and 505 (s. 1992).  On 12 April 1996, the foregoing EOs were repealed with the issuance of EO 325 signed by President Fidel V. Ramos.  This latest issuance further strengthened the RDCs to make it more responsive to new developments in socio-political fields and to ensure sustainable and broad-based development process.

5.   WHAT IS THE COVERAGE OF THE RDC?

The RDC is established in each of the administrative regions of the country except for the following special regions: (a) Cordillera Administrative Region; (b) Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao; and (c) National Capital Region.

6.   IS THERE AN EQUIVALENT OF AN RDC IN THE SPECIAL REGIONS?

Yes, EO 220, series of 1997, created the Cordillera Executive Board for the Cordillera Administrative Region.  In the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, RA 6734 established the Regional Planning and Development Board.  In the National Capital Region, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority was created under RA 7924.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

7.   WHAT IS THE COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL?

The organized RDC is composed of three major sectors namely: the LGUs, government agencies and the private sector. The three sectors are in turn, composed of the following:

The LGUs: all provincial governors; all city  mayors; mayors of municipalities designated as provincial capitals; presidents of the provincial leagues of mayors of the region; and mayor of the municipality designated as the regional center.

The Government Agencies: regional directors of agencies represented in the NEDA Board (NEDA, DAR, DA, DBM, DENR, DOF, DFA, DOH, DILG, DOLE, DPWH, DOST, DTI, DOTC), and regional directors of DepEd, DSWD and DOT.

The Private Sector: Representatives of the private sector and NGOs based in the region who shall comprise one fourth (1/4) of the membership of the fully constituted Council.  There shall be at least one private sector representative from the labor sector as prescribed under EO No. 384.

8.   ASIDE FROM THE REGULAR MEMBERS, ARE THERE OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDED IN THE COUNCIL?

Yes, the RDC may designate special non-voting members of the Council subject to the concurrence of the majority of its regular members.
 

RDC OFFICIALS

9.   WHO ARE THE OFFICIALS OF THE RDC?

The officers of the RDC include the Chair, the Co-Chair, the Vice-Chair and the Secretary.  The Chair and the Co-Chair jointly head the Council.  The NEDA Regional Director serves as the ex-officio Vice-Chair of the RDC, while the NEDA Assistant Regional Director acts as the ex-officio Secretary of the Council.

10.      HOW ARE THE CHAIR AND CO-CHAIR APPOINTED?     

The President shall select and appoint the RDC Chair and Co-Chair from at least two local chief executives who are ex-officio members and two private sector representatives nominated by the council.  If the Chairman is from the government sector, the Co-Chairman shall be selected from the private sector and vice-versa.

11.      WHAT  IS THE TENURE OF THE RDC OFFICIAL?

The terms of office of the Chair, Co-Chair and private sector representatives coincide with the regular term of local elective officials which is a fixed period of three years.  This prescribed term of office is without prejudice to reappointment.

THE PRIVATE SECTOR REPRESENTATIVES  (PSRs)

12.      WHO SHALL QUALIFY AS PRIVATE SECTOR REPRESENTATIVES (PSRs)?

A “private sector representative” refers to a person who represents the non-government sector.  He/she may be an active member of the following private sector organizations:

a)  non-government organizations (NGOs);

b)  business groups;

c)  professional organizations and civic groups

13.    COULD PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS NOT A MEMBER OF ANY PRIVATE SECTOR ORGANIZATION BE A MEMBER OF THE RDC?
 

Yes, NEDA Board Resolution No. 17 (s. 1996), says that any Filipino citizen with a proven track record in socioeconomic development in the region and who is willing and able to participate in all RDC activities shall also be considered a representative of the private sector; in which case this individual should be formally nominated by a qualified private sector organization (PSO) duly accredited by the RDC.

A nominee however must not hold any government position, whether appointive or elective, and must not receive any remuneration from the government while serving as private sector representative to the RDC.

14.      WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A  NOMINATING PSO?

A qualified PSO must be duly recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or any government agency that registers organizations and associations for the purpose of bestowing legal personality.

In addition, the PSO must have conducted socioeconomic development activities for at least three years in the region and the scope of their activities must be at least provincewide or citywide.

Foreign organizations, its branches and affiliates, cannot participate in the selection of PSRs.  Organizations having government officials as ex-officio members or which is operating projects from the funds of the government are also disqualified.

15.      WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF PSR NOMINEES?

Citizenship.  Must be Filipino citizens of legal age, not otherwise disqualified by law, with proven track record in socio-economic development in the region, and must be willing and able to participate in all RDC activities.

Occupation. A nominee must not hold any government position, whether appointive or elective, and must not receive any remuneration from the government while serving as private sector representative to the RDC.

The nominee must have been formally nominated by a qualified private sector organization duly accredited by the RDC.

16.      HOW ARE PSRs SELECTED?

The RDC Secretariat shall first prepare  the list of accredited PSOs in the region and determine the sectoral and geographic coverage of the said organizations.  The RDC ex-officio members shall determine the sectoral and geographical allocation of the one-fourth membership of the private sector in the RDC.

The qualified PSOs shall then submit their PSR nominees and list of official voters. Only two nominees, one sectoral and the other for geographic representation, shall be accepted per PSO.  The selection of PSRs shall be done by secret balloting after the list  of official nominees has been presented to the official voters representing the qualified PSOs.

The RDC Secretariat shall tally the votes and proclaim the successful nominees.

17.      WHAT IS THE TENURE OF THE PRIVATE    SECTOR REPRESENTATIVE?

All confirmed PSRs shall serve for a period of three years, without prejudice to reappointment through the same process of nomination and confirmation mentioned above.  The term of the RDC Chair/Co-Chair who comes from the private sector is co-terminus with his term as PSR.

18.      WHAT ARE THE CAUSES FOR TERMINATION OF PSRs MEMBERSHIP IN THE RDC?

PSRs who are elected or appointed to any government position during their terms shall automatically lose his/her right to represent the private sector in the RDC. Any PSR considered remiss in the performance of his duties or who commits acts inimical to the RDC may be dropped as a member of the RDC on motion of a member and approval of majority of the members present during a full Council meeting.

FUNCTIONS OF RDC

19.      WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE COUNCIL?

The RDC shall have the following functions:

• Coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of short-and long-term regional development plans and investment programs, regional physical framework plan and special development plans, including the formulation of policy recommendations;

• Integrate approved development plans of provinces and cities, line agencies, state universities and colleges, government owned and controlled corporations and special development authorities in the region into the regional development plan;

• Review, prioritize and endorse to the national government the annual and multiyear sectoral investment programs of the region for funding and implementation;

• Review and endorse to the national government the annual budgets of agency regional offices, state colleges and universities and special development authorities;

• Promote and direct the inflow and allocation of private investments in the region to support regional development objectives, policies and strategies;

•  Review and endorse national plans, programs and projects proposed for implementation in the regions;

•  As required by the Investment Coordination Committee, review and endorse   projects of national government  agencies that have impact on the region and projects of LGUs in the region;

• Initiate and coordinate the development, funding and implementation of regional and special development projects such as those involving several agencies or  LGUs;

•  Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of development projects undertaken by government agencies, LGUs, state colleges and universities, government-owned and/or controlled corporations and special development authorities in the region; and

•  Perform other related functions and activities as may be necessary to promote and sustain the socioeconomic development in the region.

COMMITTEES OF THE RDC

20.      WHAT ARE THE COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL?

The major committees are the Executive Committee (ExCom), the four Sectoral Committees, and an Advisory Committee.

21.      WHAT ARE THE COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE?

The ExCom is composed of one-fourth of the total Council membership to be selected by the Council provided all sectoral committee chairmen shall automatically become members of the Executive Committee.  Its officers shall be the Council Chairman, Co-Chairman and Vice-Chairman who shall have the same position in the ExCom.

Its major function is to act for and in behalf of the Council when it is not in session.  The Council shall provide for its other functions.

22.      WHAT ABOUT THE SECTORAL COMMITTEES?

The four sectoral committees include the social development, economic development, infrastructure development and development administration committees.

The sectoral committees shall perform functions analogous to and supportive of the functions of the RDC. They shall review and endorse matters pertaining to their respective sectors in the RDC Executive Committee and/or the RDC Proper Council.

The secretariat functions to these bodies shall be provided by the agency where the Chairperson of the sectoral committee belongs.

23.      WHAT IS THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (Adcom)?

The AdCom is created to further strengthen the coordinative and consultative mechanism in the regions. Composed of the Congressman from the region and members of the RDC ExCom, it shall advise, assist and support the Council in discharging its functions. Membership of Congressman is voluntary in the sense that they need to signify in writing their intention to join.

24.      ARE THERE OTHER COMMITTEES UNDER THE RDC?

The various committee councils organized to carry out national and agency programs in the region are considered to be under the umbrella of the RDC. Their role shall be to assist the RDC coordinate, monitor and evaluate their respective specific concerns. In general, the secretariat functions to these bodies shall be provided by the lead agency that organized the council/committee. The institutional relationship between the RDC and these various committees and councils shall be defined by the council.

OPERATIONS OF THE RDC

25.      WHO SERVES AS THE TECHNICAL STAFF AND SECRETARIAT OF THE RDC?

The NEDA Regional Office serves as the principal technical Secretariat of the Council. The NEDA Regional Director is responsible for the technical, administrative and financial operations of the RDC and is accountable for its funds and properties.

26.  HOW OFTEN DOES THE RDC MEET?

The Council meets as often as maybe necessary, but not less than once every quarter.

27. WHERE DOES THE BUDGET OF THE RDC COMES FROM?

The budget of the RDC is included in the regular budget of NEDA.  Due to the limitated budget allocated for the RDC, the Ilocos-Pangasinan Region passed a resolution enjoining all RDC   members (LGUs and NGAs) to contribute to the Trust Fund.

LINKAGES OF THE RDC

28.      WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE RDC WITH OTHER OFFICES/ OFFICIALS?

• With Presidential Assistants(PAs) and the Cabinet Officer for Regional Development (CORD):

The RDC coordinates with the PAs and CORD who serves as liaison officer of the Office of the President and facilities the resolution of regional concerns and problems.
 

• With Local Government Units (LGUs) and Local Development Councils (LDCs):

The RDC, upon request, assists the LGUs in preparing local development plans and programs; coordinates the implementation of projects covering several LGUs; and provides capability building in the area of local governance, fiscal administration and project development. 

•  With Regional Line Agencies (RLAs) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs):

The RDC links the agency and SUC development plans and programs with the Regional Development Plan and Investment Program; reviews and endorses the RLA and SUC budget proposals; coordinates the monitoring of major  projects being implemented; and evaluates and endorses RLA and SUC project proposals.

• With Other Special Bodies:

The Council may determine the nature of its relationship with other existing special bodies and those that may be created in the future.

 
The Councils may also determine the manner of relating with each other for purposes of converging their efforts toward the achievement of common goals.

RELATED CONCERNS OF THE RDC

29.      IS THE RDC STILL RELEVANT WITH THE   PASSAGE OF THE 1991 LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE?

Yes, the RDCs under EO 325, s. 1996, have become more responsive to the increased autonomy as provided for by the 1991 Local Government Code to LGUs.  In particular, EO 325 was issued to enable the RDC to respond effectively to the increased needs of the LGUs for technical assistance in the areas of planning, investment programming and project development in the light of the LGUs’ strengthened roles and greater responsibilities.

The RDC’s relevance is further highlighted through the major functions it is mandated to do such as coordination of the implementation of programs in the regions that involves several LGUs and agencies.  The technical assistance it provides to the LGUs, upon request, extends to the preparation of local development plans and programs and fulfilling requirements of LGU projects proposed to be funded under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) grant financing. 

30.  HOW CAN THE RDC FACILITATE THE IDENTIFICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS?

The RDC serves as a forum where development planners, government implementing agencies, and the private sectors can determine the priority of the various programs and projects which support the objectives and thrusts of the regions.  These programs and projects are then packaged into investment programs for endorsement to implementing agencies and institutions as well as to the private sector.

31.      HOW CAN THE RDC PROMOTE THE INFLOW OF PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN THE REGION?

With their participation in the RDC, the private sector’s interests and concerns can be better articulated and addressed in the development plan and investment program of the region.  Priority areas for private sector investment can be identified by the RDC.  The RDC can also propose measures as well as the necessary conditions to induce private investment in the region.

32.   CAN THE RDC INFLUENCE THE DETERMINATION OF NATIONAL POLICIES ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

Yes.  Through resolutions passed and approved by its members, the RDC can identify and recommend to national government policy directions and reforms relative to regional development.