1. Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera takes
oath as RDC XII Chairperson
RDC XII AdCom convenes at
Batasang Pambansa

2. 2 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2017
Editor-in-Chief
RD ARTURO G. VALERO
Associate Editor
ARD NOEL E. QUIRATMAN
Contributing Editors
JULIE ESPERANZA B. CHUNG
MARIA FELICIDAD R. GUERRERO
ROSA D. LEMANA
MA. LULU E. VALENCIA
JULIET G. BOLANDO
RDU Focal Persons
HELEN L. VESTAL
LALAINE M. SAJELAN
LIBERTY B. ARUMPAC
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
EVIE A. CABULANAN
GWYNETH GRACE B. COLLADO
JUDD NICHOL L. LEONAR
Photographer
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
Layout Artist
APOLLO Y. MANLAWE
Contributor
PIA XII
EDITORIAL BOARD
The Regional Development Updates
(RDU) is published quarterly by the Regional
Development Council (RDC) XII with
editorial office at the National Economic and
Development Authority Regional Office XII,
PrimeRegionalGovernmentCenter,Carpenter
Hill, Koronadal City, South Cotabato,
with Telephone No.: (083) 228-9203,
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CONTENTS
RDC XII confirms the FY 2018 Budget
Proposals of RLAs, SUCs, and GOCCs
Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera takes oath as
RDC XII Chairperson
RSC XII convenes 1st
Quarter Regular
Meeting, Quality and Timely Data urged
On our cover is the oath-taking
ceremony of the new RDC XII
Chairperson, Mayor Ronnel C.
Rivera of General Santos City, and
the RDC XII Advisory Committee
Meeting on January 25, 2017
at Belmonte Hall, Batasang
Pambansa, Quezon City.
33
44
RDC XII Advisory Committee
Convenes at Batasang Pambansa
1010 DOT XII Mounts Ambitious Campaign
for the Region’s Flourishing Tourism
Industry
RGADC, new Affiliate Committee of
RDC XII66
77
88
1111 DPWH XII Ranks 4th
in 2016 Infra
Program Implementation
Volume 15 | Issue No. 1 | January - March 2017
1212 NEDA XII promotes AmBisyon Natin
2040

3. January - March 2017 | Regional Development Updates | 3
By: Helen L. Vestal, NEDA XII-DRD
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – Mayor Ronnel
C. Rivera of General Santos
City took his oath as RDC XII
Chairperson on March 15, 2017
at the Family Country Hotel
and Convention Centre on the
occasion of the 57th
RDC XII
regular meeting. Hon. Oscar P.
Noel, Executive Judge of RTC
Branch 35 of General Santos
City, administered the oath in the
presence of RDC XII members.
Thereafter, the Vice-Chairperson,
RD Arturo G. Valero, handed
over to Mayor Rivera the original
signed appointment from the
Office of the President. Mayor
Rivera shall serve as Chairperson
of the Council for the term 2016-
2019.
It should be noted that after the
reorganization of the Council
on September 20, 2016, Mayor
Rivera, along with Mayor
Lina O. Montilla of Tacurong
City, RDC XII Private Sector
Representatives Richlie Lyndon
R. Magtulis and Rolando S.
Doria, were endorsed by the
Council to the Office of the
President, as nominees for
Chairperson and Co-Chairperson
of RDC XII for the term 2016-
2019.
In his message, Mayor Rivera
expressed his appreciation
for having been appointed by
President Rodrigo R. Duterte
as the Council Chairperson for
the current term. He committed
to perform his tasks as the
head of the Council amidst his
responsibilities as the Local Chief
Executive of General Santos City.
He, likewise, enjoined the support
of the members to actively
participate in all RDC XII
activities toward the development
of the region, particularly
in coming up with better
infrastructure, and in formulating
a regional development plan
which will serve as bible of
development in the region.
In addition, the Chairperson
expressed support to the thrust
of the present government and
committed to ensure that public
service is a source of a better life
for everyone.
In the initial performance of
his task as Chairperson, three
special non-voting members
(SNVM) were confirmed,
namely: the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PHIC)
XII represented by Dr. Grace B.
Pamonag, Bureau of Fisheries
and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)
XII represented by ARD Cesar G.
Mapula, and the Development
Bank of the Philipines (DBP)-
represented by Regional Head
Nelito H. Tingzon. The SNVMs
shall likewise be members of
RDC XII for the period 2016-
2019.
A total of 56 resolutions were
passed during the meeting. Aside
from the sectoral concerns,
the CY 2016 RDC XII
Mayor Ronnel ... page 4
Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera (right) of General Santos City took his oath as RDC XII
Chairperson for the term 2016-2019. The oath-taking was administered by Hon. Oscar
P. Noel, Executive Judge of RTC Branch 35 of General Santos City during the 57th
RDC XII Meeting on March 15, 2017 at Family Country Hotel and Convention Centre,
General Santos City.
Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera
takes oath as RDC XII Chairperson

4. 4 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2017
Accomplishment Report, CY
2017 RDC XII Work Program
and Calendar of Activities, as
well as the forthcoming BIMP-
EAGA event to be held in Region
XII, the First Budayaw Festival,
were approved/endorsed and/or
supported by the Council through
resolutions.
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – The RDC XII Full
Council confirmed its Executive
Committee’s resolution endorsing
the FY 2018 budget proposals of
the regional line agencies (RLAs),
state universities and colleges
(SUCs), and government-owned
and controlled corporations
(GOCCs), during its 57th
regular
meeting on March 15, 2017 in
General Santos City.
The RDC XII Executive
Committee (RDC XII ExCom)
conducted a two-day Consultation
and Review of the FY 2018
Budget Proposals on February
28-March 1, 2017 in Koronadal
City.
Prior to the conduct of the
consultation and review, the
Committee conducted a Pre-
Budget Consultation and
Review Meeting which was
attended by the RDC XII Vice-
By: Helen L. Vestal, NEDA XII-DRD
Mayor Ronnel ... from page 3
Chairperson, Chairpersons and
Co-Chairpersons of the four (4)
Sectoral Committees, and by the
Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG) XII
and the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM) XII.
The meeting was conducted for
the Committee members to: a)
familiarized themselves with the
salient features of the National
Budget Memorandum (NBM)
No. 127 or the Budget Call for
FY 2018; b) review the proposed
guidelines for the RDC XII
Review and Consultation of the
FY 2018 budget proposals; and
c) be briefed on the AIP-Budget
Tracking Report for CY 2017,
among others.
The Budget Consultation and
Hon. Oscar P. Noel, Executive Judge of RTC Branch 35 of General Santos City,
administered the oath-taking of new RDC XII Special Non-Voting Members. (L-R)
ARD Cesar G. Mapula of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) XII;
RVP Grace B. Pamonag of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC); and
Regional Head Nelito H. Tingzon of the Development Bank of the Philippines.
RDC XII confirms the FY 2018 Budget Proposals
of RLAs, SUCs, and GOCCS
NEDA XII Regional Director and RDC XII Vice Chairperson Arturo G. Valero (right)
with DBM XII Regional Director Akmad J. Usman during the two-day Consultation
and Review of the FY 2018 Budget Proposals on February 28-March 1, 2017 in
Koronadal City.

5. January - March 2017 | Regional Development Updates | 5
Review commenced on February
28, 2017 with the RDC XII
ExCom members as review panel.
A total 20 RLAs, 5 SUCs and 2
GOCCs presented their respective
proposed budgets for FY 2018.
As presented, the total budget
proposed by the RLAs, SUCs
and GOCCs of the region,
and favorably endorsed by the
RDC XII ExCom, amounted
to PhP103.517 Billion. The
programs/projects/activities
(PPAs) included in the said
budget proposals were found to
be supportive of the President’s
0 to 10-Point Socioeconomic
Agenda, the SOCCSKSARGEN
Regional Development Plan,
2017-2022, and the approved
CY 2018 Annual Investment
Programs of the government
entities. The Social Sector got the
lion’s share of the budget with
PhP64.637, or 62.44% of the total
proposed budget, followed by the
Infrastructure Sector with 26.24%,
Economic Sector with 10.18%,
and Governance and Institutions
Development Sector with 1.14%.
The RDC XII Full Council
concurred with the RDC XII
ExCom endorsement of the
budget proposals, as presented by
the 27 government entities of the
region, through a resolution.
(L-R) Private Sector Representatives to RDC XII took part in the budget consultations and review which was conducted for two (2)
days from February 28-March 1, 2017 in Koronadal City.

6. 6 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2017
RGADC, new Affiliate
Committee of RDC XII
By: Apollo Y. Manlawe, NEDA XII-DRD
General Santos City – The
Regional Development Council
(RDC) XII approved the
organization of Regional Gender
and Development Committee
(RGADC) as Affiliate Committee
of the Council during the 57th
RDC XII Meeting on 15 March
2017 in General Santos City, as
endorsed by the Regional Social
Development Committee (RSDC)
XII.
The recommendation of the
RSDC XII was based on the
Section 9 of Executive Order
No. 325, Series of 1996,
which states that “… various
committees organized to carry
out national and agency programs
are considered to be under the
umbrella of the RDC as affiliate
committees.”
The proposed membership of
the Committee shall include:
4 Sectoral Chairpersons of the
Council or their representatives;
10 Regional Directors from
the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM),
Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG),
National Economic and
Development Authority (NEDA),
Commission on Human Rights
(CHR), Philippine Statistics
Authority (PSA), Commission
on Higher Education (CHED),
Commission on Population
(POPCOM), Civil Service
Commission (CSC), Philippine
National Police (PNP), and the
Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD); 6
Local Chief Executives from
South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan
Kudarat, Cotabato Province,
City of Koronadal, and Cotabato
City; 5 SUC Presidents from the
of Mindanao State University-
General Santos City (MSU),
Cotabato City State Polytechnic
College (CCSPC), Notre Dame of
Dadiangas University (NDDU),
Sultan Kudarat State University
(SKSU), and University of
Southern Mindanao (USM); 3
representatives from women
sector; 3 representatives from
Civil Society Organizations,
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender (LGBT) group; and
other organizations focused on
gender and development which
shall be identified later.
As reported by RSDC XII
Chairperson Richlie Lyndon L.
Magtulis, the 31 members of
the committee can be further
expanded by the organized
RGADC.
The Commission on Human
Rights (CHR) XII shall be the
convenor of the organizational
meeting of RGADC which will be
held sometime in April 2017.

7. January - March 2017 | Regional Development Updates | 7
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – The Regional
Statistics Committee (RSC) XII
conducted its 1st
Regular Meeting
for CY 2017 on March 28, 2017
at Viajera Dine and Café, City of
Koronadal. The meeting, which
was hosted by the Philippine
Statistics Authority (PSA) XII,
was attended by majority of the
members of the Committee with
NEDA XII Regional Director
Arturo G. Valero orchestrating
the meeting as the Committee’s
Chairperson.
In his opening remarks,
Chairperson Valero once again
cited the importance of Statistics
not just in government operations
but also in private organizations,
as basis for planning and
identifying programs and projects.
Citing it as a “bloodline” for
the government initiatives and
decision making, Chairperson
Valero urged the committee to
advocate and further improve not
just the use of statistics but also
the quality and timeliness of data.
The Committee discussed matters
from its previous meeting, as
well as the assessment of its
accomplishments for CY 2016.
Agenda Forecast for the Calendar
Year 2017 was also deliberated
as activities were lined-up and
plotted for 2017. The Province
of South Cotabato was then
requested to host the 2nd Quarter
meeting of the Committee,
while DENR XII and Cotabato
City were identified as possible
hosts for the 3rd and 4th Quarter
Meetings, respectively.
Technical topics presented and
discussed during the meeting
were: Project ANACONDA
(Analysis of Causes of Death
for National Development and
Action), which is a software
program designed to address and
improve the Quality of Death
Statistics from Civil Registrar; the
2015 Annual Poverty Statistics
wherein an improvement in
the Region’s overall Poverty
incidence was highlighted; the
performance of Agriculture in
SOCCSKSARGEN Region
where a negative 12.14% growth
rate was reported, which could
likely affect the overall growth
of the region’s Gross Regional
Domestic Product (GRDP);
and the 2010-Based Population
Projections which indicated
a 5,053,800 population in the
Region by the year 2020.
Under other matters, the 2017
schedule of Philippine Statistical
Research and Training Institute
(PSRTI) Trainings was presented,
encouraging interested applicants,
especially members attending
the RSC XII meeting, to submit
and participate in the listed
trainings. The final item covered
the latest PSA Board resolutions
for the Committee’s information,
adoption, and/or appropriate
action.
RSC XII convenes 1st
Quarter Regular Meeting, Quality
and Timely Data urged
By: Judd Nichol L. Leonar, NEDA XII-DRD
Edward Donald Eloja (right) of PSA XII presented and discussed the analysis of
Causes of Death for National Development and Action or popularly known as Project
ANACONDA during the RSC XII 1st Quarter Meeting at Viajera Dine and Cafe,
Koronadal City on March 28, 2017.

8. 8 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2017
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – The Regional
Development Council XII
Advisory Committee (RDC
XII AdCom) convened for its
first meeting for the term 2016-
2019 on January 25, 2017 at
the Belmonte Hall, Batasang
Pambansa, Quezon City. RDC XII
Acting Chairperson and Regional
Director of NEDA XII, Arturo G.
Valero, explained that the meeting
is intended to primarily discuss
the proposed priority programs
and projects for inclusion in
the budget proposal for Fiscal
Year 2018, and generate policy
recommendations for legislation
and/or support by the nine (9)
congresspersons of the region.
NEDA Undersecretary for
Regional Development, Adoracion
M. Navarro, was the meeting’s
guest speaker. She presented the
general thrust of the Philippine
Development Plan, particularly
the AmBisyon Natin 2040
which lays down the underlying
principle of “Malasakit” in
pursuing development. She
also pointed out the National
Spatial Development Strategy
which provides geographical and
coherent guide in the pursuit of
the 0+10 point agenda of Pres.
Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The RDC XII AdCom is
composed of members of the
House of Representatives from
Region XII and the members
of the RDC XII Executive
Committee, viz: RDC XII
Chairperson, Co-Chairperson,
Vice Chairperson; Sectoral
Committee Chairpersons and Co-
Chairpersons; and the Regional
Directors of the Department of the
Interior and Local Government
(DILG) and the Department of
Budget and Management (DBM).
In addition to the RDC XII
AdCom Members, the Regional
Directors of regional line agencies
that are highly important in
regional and local development,
particularly in terms of their huge
investments for their priority
programs and projects and play
RDC XII Advisory Committee
Convenes at Batasang Pambansa
By: Rosa D. Lemana, NEDA XII-DRD

9. January - March 2017 | Regional Development Updates | 9
strategic roles in regional and
local development, were invited
as resource persons.
Updates on major infrastructure
projects for the term 2013-2016,
were presented, particularly on
roads and bridges, airports and
seaports, flood control projects,
irrigation, and public transport
terminals.
RDC XII AdCom also discussed
the rehabilitation of the General
Santos International Airport,
which will start within the year
using the P959 million fund
provided by the Department
of Transportation under its CY
2015 Infrastructure Program.
The unfinished components of
the seaports of General Santos,
Glan and Timako, the flood
control projects in four (4) major
sub-basins of Cotabato and
Lower Pulangi, Ala, Libungan
and Banga, and the Malitubog-
Maridagao Irrigation Project
Phase 2 will continue to be
implemented during the year.
The Committee members agreed
to give priority to the following
projects: Malapag-Tinimbakan
Road, several by-pass roads,
Banga-Tupi-Sarangani Road,
and roads leading to tourist
development areas (TDAs). The
proposed SOCCSKSARGEN
Regional Hospital in Surallah will
continue to be a major proposal
for the term 2016-2019 along
with the completion of the Halal
Laboratory in Barangay Paraiso,
Koronadal City.
The Committee members
likewise agreed to pursue a
win-win solution in order to tap
the vast mineral resources for
the development of the region,
particularly the Tampakan
Copper-Gold Project. Further,
they recommended that the
Department of Budget and
Management release the Notice
of Organization, Staffing and
Compensation Action (NOSCA)
of newly created trial courts and
the funds of those already with
NOSCA in order to enhance the
justice system in the region.
Aside from RDC XII Acting
Chairperson Valero, RDC XII
AdCom members present
during the meeting were:
Congresspersons Ferdinand
L. Hernandez, Jose I. Tejada,
Pedro B. Acharon, Jr., Horacio
P. Suansing, PSR Alfredo P.
Hebrona, Jr., PSR Richlie Lyndon
L. Magtulis, PSR Ricardo C.
Juliano and PSR Rolando S.
Doria. Represented were
Congresspersons Bai Sandra
A. Sema, Jesus N. Sacdalan,
Nancy A. Catamco, Rogelio
D. Pacquiao, Suharto T.
Mangudadatu, Mayor Ronnel
C. Rivera, and DILG XII RD
Reynaldo M. Bungubung.
Resource persons present
were: RD Reynaldo Tamayo of
DPWH XII, Regional Manager
Ali S. Satol of NIA XII, RD
Macario D. Gonzaga of the Land
Transportation Office XII, RD
Bai Zorahayda Taha of DSWD
XII, RD Albert E. Gutib of
DOLE XII, RD Arturo Bayocot
of DepEd XII, RD Nelly Nita
Dillera of DOT XII, RD Zenaida
Raof Laidan of DOST XII, Ms.
Cecilia Parcon representing RD
Milagros A. Casis of DA XII,
and Atty. Michelle Anne Viejo
representing RD Bungubung of
DILG XII.
(L-R) Hon. Ferdinand L. Hernandez, Representative of South Cotabato, 2nd
District; Acting RDC
XII Chairperson and NEDA XII Regional Director Arturo G. Valero; and NEDA Undersecretary for
Regional Development Adoracion M. Navarro during the RDC XII Advisory Committee Meeting in
Quezon City on January 25, 2017.

10. 10 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2017
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – The Department of
Tourism (DOT) in the region is
taking small steps in mounting
an ambitious campaign in the
region’s tourism industry, an
official of the Department said.
Department of Tourism XII
Regional Director Nelly Nita
N. Dillera said, the agency has
taken leaps in engaging all
stakeholders not only from the
region but across the world to
take part in the advocacy.
With a new advocacy strategy
in “SOX is NEXT,” the agency
hosted visitors from as far as
Metro Manila, Cebu and other
areas in Visayas with global
connections.
Manila-based tour operators
had more good stories to tell
now after their 3-day caravan
in tourist destinations in
SOCCSKSARGEN region on
March 22-24.
Having seen for themselves
that truly SOCCCSKSARGEN
NEXT.” Others stressed that
they have proven wrong some
misinformation and wrong
notions about the region which
they have heard and read in
second hand reports reaching
them.
The tour operators, who
are members of Philippine
Tour Operators Association
(PhilTOA) headed by Cesar
Cruz, had their familiarization
tour in the paragliding sites
and white sand beaches of
Sarangani Province; the scenic
view of Mt. Matutum with
the pineapple plantation and
Fruit Park in Tupi town, the
breathtaking Zipline, Lake
Cruise, and fascinating 7 Falls
in Lake Sebu, and the T’boli
Culture of South Cotabato; as
DOT XII Mounts Ambitious Campaign for the Region’s
Flourishing Tourism Industry
By: Aida C. Agad, PIA XII
Region has lots
of fun-filled
adventures to
experience, they
said “we came,
we saw and we
confirm SOX is

11. January - March 2017 | Regional Development Updates | 11
well as the Bird Sanctuary in
Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat.
Their tour was capped with a
business matching activity with
hoteliers, handicraft stores,
travel agencies and other
tourism-oriented establishments
based in SOCCSKSARGEN.
PhilTOA is an organization
of tour operators and allied
members actively involved in
the advocacy of responsible
tourism. It was founded on
June 12, 1986 as a non-profit
and non-stock organization.
The membership includes
travel agencies, hotels, resorts,
transportation companies,
handicraft stores, and other
tourism oriented establishments
and associations.
Director Dillera said that the
tour enabled PhilTOA members
to identify and experience
tourism destinations in the
region that could be included in
their tour packages, hoping that
they will help promote SOX as
the next tourist destination in
the Phillipines.
On April 3-7, 2017, DOT XII
hosted the 2017 Treasures of
SOX: Travel & Trade Expo
at Glorietta Mall, in Makati
City. SOCCSKSARGEN
products were showcased in the
weeklong trade fair.
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – Of the 16 regional
offices of the Department of
Public Works and Highways
(DPWH), DPWH XII
ranked 4th
in actual physical
accomplishments in 2016, an
official here announced.
Regional Director Reynaldo
Tamayo told Philippine
Information Agency that
DPWH XII completed 504
of the 604 infrastructure
projects implemented across
SOCCSKSARGEN Region last
year.
SOCCSKSARGEN Region
is comprised of the provinces
of South Cotabato, Cotabato,
Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani,
as well as the cities of General
Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong,
Kidapawan and Cotabato.
Director Tamayo noted that
in 2016, DPWH constructed,
improved and rehabilitated
70.159 kilometers of roads
amounting to P1.4 billion.
“Region XII is so far doing
well in project implementation
despite extortion and arson in
critical areas,” Tamayo said.
“We have also been busy in
monitoring our compliance to
the ISO certification and we
have managed to pull through.”
In the same period, the
regional office has
implemented 4,996.07 linear
meters of bridges amounting to
P223.6 million, including the
Namnama Bridge in Koronadal
City that collapsed because of
heavy flood on June 24, 2015.
Twenty flood control projects,
such as riverbank protections
and revetments, were also
completed.
Under memorandum of
agreement (MOA) with local
government units and other
agencies, DPWH XII also
built 292 local roads and
bridges, water systems, school
buildings, national buildings,
multi-purpose buildings, day
care centers and health centers
with a combined cost of P2.3
billion.
With the Department of
Agriculture, DPWH XII
improved and paved 31.23
kilometers of farm-to-market
roads.
It has also constructed
382 school buildings for
secondary and senior high
school under the Basic
Education Facilities Fund
(BEFF) of the Department of
Education.
DPWH offices in Regions
XIII, XI and I comprised the
Top 3 performers in 2016.
DPWH XII Ranks 4th
in 2016 Infra
Program Implementation
By: Danilo E. Doguiles, PIA XII and EETorino, DPWH XII

12. 12 | Regional Development Updates | January - March 2017
City of Koronadal, South
Cotabato – With the objective
to promote the AmBisyon Natin
2040 to as many stakeholders
as possible, NEDA XII
partnered with the Philippine
Information Agency (PIA) XII,
dubbed as Ang Bagong PIA, in
conducting a series of advocacy
activities in the region on
March 16-17, 2017. Conducted
in the City of Kidapawan and
in the Municipality of Isulan,
students comprising of junior
to senior high school, as well
as from the tertiary level, were
oriented on various topics such
as the ASEAN Integration,
AmBisyon Natin 2040, and the
BIMP-EAGA.
PIA XII, who spearheaded
the activity, intends to inform
the people more of what’s
happening in the Government,
targeting specifically the
students who are deemed to be
very important stakeholders
in the realization of various
government initiatives.
In his speech, PIA XII Acting-
Regional Director Joey Sem
G. Dalumpines said that it is
important that the Government
reach out and inform the
people in order to have a
better understanding of the
plans and programs of the
current administration. He
also believes that conducting
such orientations are more
effective in communicating
government’s programs, thrusts
and priorities as these would
allow government personnel
to personally interact with the
audience targeted.
Division Chief Rosa D.
Lemana, who headed the
group from NEDA XII, and
who rendered the orientation
on AmBisyon Natin 2040,
thanked PIA XII for initiating
the event and for including
the topic on AmBisyon
Natin 2040 in the activity.
Ms. Lemana said that NEDA
XII advocates the AmBisyon
Natin 2040 in order to generate
more acceptance of the long-
term vision, summarized
as Matatag, Maginhawa at
Panatag na Buhay by 2040,
to as many stakeholders as
possible, especially the youth/
millennials, being the more
affected sector of society.
Other speakers who discussed
relevant topics were: Daniel
T. Te, Regional Head of
the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA), who provided a
general overview of ASEAN;
Mr. Gerardo Ramon Cesar
B. Reynaldo of MinDA, who
gave an insight on the BIMP-
EAGA; and Ms. Melissa
Gabrielle H. Vargas of NEDA
XII, who discussed the ASEAN
Economic Community.
The orientations were
considered a success, as
students showed interest and
appreciation of the topics by
interacting with and raising
questions to the resource
persons during the forum.
PIA XII intends to extend
the activity in Cotabato City,
Sarangani and Koronadal City
to further reach more people in
the region.
NEDA XII
promotes
AmBisyon Natin
2040
By: Judd Nichol L. Leonar
NEDA XII-DRD
Ms. Lemana said that NEDA XII advocates the
AmBisyon Natin 2040 in order to generate more
acceptance of the long-term vision, summarized
as Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay
by 2040.