Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 561)
There are five "super" regions created: (a) Northern Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle, (b) Luzon Urban Beltway, (c) Central Philippines, (d) Agribusiness Mindanao, and (e) Cyber Corridor.
No, the formation of the "super" regions does not supersede current political boundaries nor alter the Regional Development Councils as established by existing laws and issuances.
The development themes are: Northern Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle - Agribusiness; Luzon Urban Beltway - Globally competitive industrial and service center; Central Philippines - Tourism; Agribusiness Mindanao - Agribusiness; Cyber Corridor - Information and communication technology and knowledge economy.
Development Champions are designated leaders for each "super" region tasked to serve as catalysts for development, advocate for their region's strategic theme, ensure the implementation of priority programs and projects, work out operational policies, and submit monthly reports to the Presidential Management Staff.
They are authorized to call on various government agencies including the NEDA, DBM, PMS, and Infrastructure Monitoring Task Force for assistance, as well as other government entities to ensure timely and cost-effective implementation of priority projects. Regional Development Councils must assist them.
The operational requirements of the Development Champions shall be supported by the budgets of the agencies that they head.
The Cyber Corridor traverses the "super" regions from Baguio to Cebu to Davao and focuses on information and communication technology and the knowledge economy as its development theme.
The Northern Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle is composed of Regions I, II, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and the northern part of Aurora (north of Baler), Tarlac (north of Tarlac City), Nueva Ecija (north of Cabanatuan City), and Zambales (north of Subic).
They provide necessary assistance in communicating the development endeavors in the "super" regions to key constituencies and the international community.