Tuesday, December 18, 2007 C. Luzon development plan for 2008-2010 approved
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Regional Development Council (RDC) chaired by Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia approved the 2008-2010 development plans for Central Luzon (CL) during its regular meeting here naming several infrastructures in Bulacan, Bataan and Aurora as priority projects.
The RDC listed the North Food Exchange (NFE) or the Bulacan north food terminal, Bataan-Manila pipeline project; Bataan liquefied natural gas terminal project, Bagac-Mariveles road and Clark-Cabanatuan-Dingalan expressway project among other priority programs and ventures for the year 2008-2010.
Primarily composed of the seven governors of Region 3, National Government Agencies (NGAs) regional directors and representatives from the private sector, the RDC draws the blueprint for CL's overall socio-economic development.
Garcia was recently appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the new chairman of the council while the vice chairman has yet to be named. During last December 10 regular meeting, Garcia took a ceremonial oath-taking before Judge Manuel Montessa Tan.
The council also elected the various sectoral committee chairpersons to complete the working organizational structure of the reconvened RDC. Zambales Governor Amor Deloso was named as the chairman of the Infrastructure Development committee, Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio for Social Development, Aurora Governor Bellaflor Castillo for Economic Development and City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez for Sectoral Development Administration.
Garcia expressed optimism on the success of the current RDC even as he encouraged his fellow local government leaders to emulate the good and successful practices of their colleagues if only to push for real development.
He also extended his gratitude to President Arroyo for confirming his election as chairman of the council.
Garcia likewise vowed to work hard in steering the council towards its goal of making Central Luzon as one of the most-progressive and most-conducive investment hubs in the country.
Garcia enumerated the advantages of Central Luzon in terms of investment generation.
Among the infrastructure and support facilities he mentioned are the Diosdado Macapagal International Aiport (DMIA), Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, NorthRail, Subic Bay Seaport, Tarlac Industrial Park, Hermosa Special Economic Zone, Clark Special Economic Zone and more.
Meanwhile, RDC vice chairman Remigio Mercado said the regional development performance for the year 2004-2006. Though the current council is optimistic on its future endeavors, Mercado pointed out the downside of the region as it failed to mark its targets in the past three years.
Mercado reported that the region's contribution to GDP has been on the downtrend from 8.6 percent share in 2004 to 8.41 percent in 2006. Also, Mercado added that the region's share in the gross value added of the Luzon Urban Beltway Super Region was recorded from 15.61 in 2004 to 13.33 percent in 2006.
He also said the sustained 12 percent annual growth in corn production was not met as actual corn production in 2004, 2005 and 2006 averaged at only 9 percent.
There were also major projects that logged behind their target completions. These include the Casecnan Multi-Purpose Irrigation and Power Project in Nueva Ecija, the Bulacan North Food Terminal Complex and Agro-Food Exchange, rehabilitation and widening of Manila North Road and the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. (RCG)
