Guv named development council chair for Eastern Visayas

PALO, Leyte - President Benigno Aquino III has appointed Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla as the new chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC).

Also named by the President was Tiburcio Morales, as the new co-chairman of the RDC representing the private sector.

The President issued on December 10 the omnibus appointment letter stating the appointments of Petilla and Morales as chairman and co-chairman of the RDC for Eastern Visayas, Assistant Regional Director Emma Sanupo of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), said.

"Actually, we received the copy of the appointment of Governor Petilla and Mr. Morales while we were having our executive committee meeting on Dec.10," Sanupo, whose office serves as the secretariat of the regional council, said.

Neda's Regional Director, Buenaventura Go-Soco, serves as the vice-chairman of the RDC, which serves as the primary institution in the region that sets the direction of its economic and social development.

To recall, Petilla and Morales, who are in the cooperative sector, were nominated by acclimation by the members of the council to head the new set of RDC officials last August.

Both Petilla and Morales are to serve their posts from 2010 to 2013.

Petilla replaced former Calbayog City mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento, who is now serving as congressman for the 1st district of Samar.

Sanupo said that the new RDC leaders are expected to take their oaths by January.

The Neda official said they were happy that the President has formally issued the appointments of both Petilla and Morales, and expressed her expectation that under the leadership of Petilla, the RDC in Eastern Visayas will accomplish their goals for next year.

Petilla is expected to give priority to the sectors of agri-business, tourism and the information technology. Neda, Sanupo said, will provide the needed support in the directions of the development plan of the new RDC officials.

Petilla had earlier shared his plans as the new RDC chairman, which includes the three sectors earlier mentioned by Sanupo. Leyte Samar Daily Express