DRRM, climate change considered in new Region 8 dev’t plan

PALO, Leyte, Nov. 29 (PNA) -– Disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) and climate change adaptation have been tagged as priority areas in the formulation of the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Plan (RDP) under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

In a consultation with regional stakeholders here held Tuesday, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Undersecretary Adoracion Navarro said building back better remains a big challenge in the region.

“While the region shows resiliency, there’s a lot to be done in the context of rehabilitation and recovery as the region is becoming a showcase for building back better,” Navarro said.

Incorporating the two areas in the RDP is critical for the region considering the vulnerability of six provinces to multiple hazards, according to Navarro.

“Our experience with (super typhoon) Yolanda is still a lesson for us to make vulnerability reduction a top objective. The successor PDP (Philippine Development Plan) put emphasis on reinforcing resiliency not just defined by a physical dimension, but encompassing socio-economic resiliency of individuals and families,” she added.

The RDP 2017-2022 from all regions is needed as inputs for the PDP under the current administration.

The plan takes into account the AmBisyon Natin (our ambition) 2040, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the 10-point socio-economic agenda of Duterte administration.

“AmBisyon Natin 2040 represents the collective long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and for the country for the next 25 years. It describes the kind of life that people want to live, as well as how the country will look like by 2040. As such, it will serve as an anchor for development planning across at least four administrations,” Navarro explained.

The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda defines priorities over the next 15 years, which are to eradicate poverty, hunger and inequality, take action on climate change and the environment, improve access to health and education, and build strong institutions and partnerships, among others.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 12 issued by the Office of the President on Oct. 24, 2016, national government agencies are given until January 2017 to draft the new PDP.

NEDA held various RDP sectoral meetings and thematic workshop in the region’s six provinces since September this year. The region is expected to complete the successor RDP within December. (PNA)

 LAP/Sarwell Q. Meniano with Yancy Marie Claridad & Ana Rose Cinco (OJTs)