THE 18th Central Luzon Regional Development Council (RDC III) has endorsed the region’s Top 30 Priority Projects with an aggregate budget requirement of P11.5 billion during a Special Full Council Meeting on November 21, via hybrid modality.

RDC III Chairperson and Zambales Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. presided over the meeting and underscored the importance of going through the proper processes in planning and endorsing programs and projects. He also emphasized the need for deliberations at the local and regional development councils.

The top 30 priority projects include 16 projects under the Social Development Sector, nine projects under the Economic Development Sector, four projects under the Environment Sector, and one project under the Infrastructure Development Sector.

In addition to the 30 priority projects, three proposals for feasibility study preparation were also endorsed. These cover the Regional Processing Centers in Agri-Producing Areas, the Abucay Irrigation Project, and the Integrated Waste Management Facility in Central Luzon.

These endorsed projects will be included in the Third Regional-National Investment Programing (RNIP) Dialogue to align regional thrusts with national priorities.

The RDC III also approved the chairpersons and co-chairpersons of the five sectoral committees, who will take their oath during the Fourth Quarter Full Council Meeting in December.

CLIP 2023–2028 Midterm Update

Meanwhile, the Infrastructure Development Committee, Economic Development Committee, and Environment Committee of RDC III have endorsed to the RDC III Full Council the infrastructure, economic and environment sector components of the Central Luzon Investment Program (CLIP) 2023–2028 Midterm Update in a meeting on November 20.

In the same meeting, the joint committees also recommended the implementation of the construction and replacement of Lazatin Flyover and the adoption of the Pampanga River Basin Flood Control Master Plan to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Additionally, the members expressed support to the proposed legislative measures by Hon. Antonino B. Roman III, Representative of the First District of Bataan, namely:

• House Bill No. 2201 – “An Act Establishing a National Flood Risk Governance Framework, institutionalizing a Centralized Flood Risk Data Integration Platform, Enhancing Inter-Agency Coordination and Local Access to Flood Information, and For Other Purposes”;

• House Bill No. 2202 – “An Act Creating a Performance- Based Flood Resilience Incentive and Investment Fund to Support Local Government Units in Reducing Flood Risk, Appropriating Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes”, and

• House Bill No. 2203 – “An Act Strengthening the Protection, Restoration, and Sustainable Management of Urban Wetlands, Coastal Flood Buffers, and Waterway Easements to Reduce Flood Risk, Providing Mechanisms and Funds Therefor, and For Other Purposes.”

The Tri-Committee also affirmed its support for the implementation of Central Luzon Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Plan by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 3, and the realization of the goals and thrusts of the newly created regional bodies, namely: Central Luzon Regional Wearables and Homestyle Council, and Central Luzon Regional Council for Creative Industries. – DEPDev Region 3