By Ma. Mikaela Alonso and Melvirose Apolinar/UM Interns
THE REGIONAL Development Council (RDC) and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) XI spearheaded the launch of the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP) 2023-2028 on May 23rd at the Mapua MCM Auditorium.
Maria Lourdes Lim, RDC XI vice-chairperson and NEDA XI regional director, said the development plan was made with the Filipinos in mind to provide a “matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay (stable, comfortable, and secure life),” as anchored on the AmBisyon Natin 2040 (Ambition and Vision of the People).
In crafting the plan, they leaned on the learnings from the previous 2017-2022 DRDP, mistakes and realizations from the COVID-19 pandemic, some global and regional trends, and sustainable development goals.
“In the previous PDP implementation, our main goal was to achieve sustained economic growth as it is a necessary condition for significant poverty reduction. One of the main accomplishments was that between 2015 and 2028, poverty declined significantly from 23.3% to 16.7%. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, poverty increased to 18.1% or an additional 2.3 million poor Filipinos between 2018 and 2021,” Lim explained.
She also said the primary goal was to “reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction, steer the economy back on the high-growth path, and effect economic and social transformation for a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient society.”
For instance, the government aims to maintain an annual economic growth rate between 6-7% in 2023 and between 6.5-8% from 2024-2028, an unemployment rate within 4-5%, and keep the overall inflation rate within 2-4% from 2024-2028.
Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon also emphasized that the digitalization of government offices must be a priority. A statement that RDC XI co-chairperson Arturo Milan echoed backed by saying that it must all start with the barangays.
The RDC XI also proposed to make the region an international logistics hub.
“Initially…our connectivity infrastructure would set the foundation for this vision. Upgrading our international airport and…seaports in the region along Davao Gulf. Apart from that, we also are very expectant that the rail system, the 1st phase of the Mindanao Railway Project will be realized between this medium-term period that will connect Digos all the way to Tagum,” Malanyaon said.
