RDC private sector reps 1st national convention in Cebu

Private sector representatives to the Regional Development Councils in the country will hold their 1st national convention on April 26-27 at the Parklane Hotel, Cebu City with the theme, “20 Years of Regional Development, Partnership and Volunteerism.”

Valeriano Avila, chairman RDC-7 DevAd committee said he hopes that the convention will make the public realize the importance of private sector representatives’(PSR) participation in governance which is essential to the regional growth and development. Avila has been a PSR for almost 20 years now.

This is the first time that RDC private sector representatives meet to discuss various issues and concerns on how they can strengthen their partnership with the regional development councils in the country. The convention serves as a kick off activity for the up-coming celebration of the 20th year of PSR participation in the RDCs.

“The PSRs in Central Visayas have been active and effective in advocating private sector concerns through the RDC and its sectoral committees. I hope this convention will provide a venue for me to network with PSRs from other regions in order for us to consolidate advocacies that have national implications,” said Argeo Melisimo, chairman of the economic development committee, RDC-7.

Melisimo expects that the convention will provide the PSRs the avenue to exchange ideas and learn from their best practices. RDC-7 co-chair, Robert Go echoes Melisimo’s expectations and wants to know the best practices of other RDC-PSRs.

Emmanuel Rabacal, chair of the RDC-7 Infrastructure Development Committee and who has been a PSR for 12 years will present the successful initiatives of the Central Visayas RDC in strengthening PSR participation.

The convention is being funded by the German government through the GTZ-Decentralization Program, with the National Economic and Development Authority as co-convenor. At the end of the 2-day activity, the RDC-PSRs expect to unite to a common stand on interregional and national development through a written declaration or covenant that will be presented to higher authorities.

As can be recalled, the People Power Revolution of 1986 ushered in a policy agenda for people-powered development. For the first time, non-government organizations (NGOs) or the civil society were recognized as active participants in development planning, investment programming, budget review, and project monitoring.

In November 1987, the RDCs were reorganized and its membership expanded to include representatives of the private sector and NGOs. (PIA).