SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The Central Luzon Regional Development Council (RDC-III), under Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., has favorably endorsed several proposals to strengthen development planning and promote long-term growth in the region.

In a full council meeting held on September 23 at the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) Regional Office III, members discussed and approved priority projects and policy agendas, as well as resolutions presented by sectoral committees.

Among them were key issues previously presented at the RDC-III Executive Committee meeting: the operationalization of the Ridge-to-Reef/Watershed Ecosystem Management (R2R/WEM) under the Regional Development and Physical Framework Planning; the Top 30 priority projects; and three proposed projects for feasibility study preparation by the Central Luzon Regional Development Council for Fiscal Year 2028.

In the meeting, the Joint Development Administration–Social Development Committee presented guidelines on the utilization of the regional share from the financial benefits given to the host region; the proposed construction of a new jail facility at the San Miguel Municipal Jail in Bulacan; and the project development and monitoring facility support application of the Provincial Government of Bataan for “Bunker II: The Pylon–Bataan Justice and Health Government Center Project.”

The joint committee also endorsed support for RDC-X Resolution No. 87, which requests the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) to conduct a policy review on streamlining requirements and processes for Pag-IBIG death and related claims, in accordance with Republic Act No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

Meanwhile, the Joint Economic Development–Environment Committee–Infrastructure Development Committee discussed the Department of Agriculture’s Region III Office’s Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Investment Portfolio and the Asian Development Bank’s Climate Adaptation Investment Plan for the Pampanga River Basin.

The council also discussed the Regional Gender and Development Committee-III’s Gender and Development Agenda/Strategic Plan 2027–2032 that promotes gender-responsive development planning in the region.

Ebdane said the council approved all proposals presented at the meeting, and cited the importance of collaborative planning, coordination, and cooperation.

“Through our continuous collaboration, we can ensure that the government’s plans, programs, and projects truly respond to the needs of our regions and contribute to the long-term development of Central Luzon,” he concluded.

Those who attended the meeting were: Nerrisa T. Esguerra, Regional Director of DEPDev-III and Vice-Chairperson of RDC-III; Aladin A. Ancheta, DEPDev-III Assistant Regional Director and Secretary of RDC-III; Dr. Reynanto C. Arimbuyutan, Co-Chairperson of RDC-III; and Jesito M. Ponio Jr., RDC-III Lead Secretariat and DEPDev-III Chief Economic Development Specialist.

Directors of regional development agencies and representatives of the private sector, sectoral committees, and provincial governments, as well as Botolan Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane, who heads LMP-Zambales, also joined the meeting. ▲