State schools asked to align goals with regional dev’t plan

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 26  -- The Regional Development Council (RDC) in Eastern Visayas has asked state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the region to come up with academic plans that support the Regional Development Plan (RDP).

Eastern Visayas RDC vice chair Bonifacio Uy, regional director of the National Economic Development Authority, said the plan is the blueprint in achieving the mission and thrusts of SUCs.

“It served as the vital tool that provides the SUCs a clear picture of their respective goals by defining the outcomes and outputs, establishing end-of-plan targets and identifying critical and relevant indicators to track their progress,” Uy said in a mobile phone interview Wednesday.

The submission of SUCs’ academic plans will help keep the RDC informed on the efforts of schools in achieving their mission and thrusts related to RDP.

On Nov. 29 this year, the RDC’s regional project monitoring committee passed a resolution asking SUCs to align their thrusts with the RDP.

Under the 250-page plan, the region aims to attain 5.8 to 7 percent economic growth for 2018 to 2022 on the average.

The regional plan is considered as a “companion document” of the Philippine Development Plan for 2017 to 2022, or within the term of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Prior to its endorsement by the regional council last year, the RDP underwent a series of consultations with the regional line agencies, local government units, business groups, religious sectors, non-government organizations, and other stakeholders.

The RDP, which serves as the blueprint of the region’s development direction, is anchored on the Sustainable Development Goals, the Long-Term Vision of Filipinos or AmBisyon Natin 2040, and President Duterte’s 0+10 Point Socioeconomic Agenda. (SQM/PNA)