Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 308)
Article X Section 14 of the 1987 Constitution mandates the creation of Regional Development Councils or similar bodies for administrative decentralization and regional development.
The policy is that socio-economic development programs of the government must involve extensive participation, support, and coordination among government agencies and private sector institutions at all levels.
The RDC is the primary institution in the region that sets the direction for economic and social development and coordinates regional development efforts.
The Council is composed of all provincial governors, mayors of chartered cities and the regional center, regional directors of NEDA Board-represented agencies (one director per agency), and representatives of private sector and NGOs limited to one-fourth of membership.
The RDC coordinates formulation of development plans and policies, public investment programs, appraises and prioritizes programs and projects, promotes private investments, coordinates multi-agency programs, and monitors implementation.
It is a body in every region composed of RDC members and others, serving as a deliberative and consultative body to advise, support, and cooperate with the RDC in its functions.
The Council nominates three members, from whom the President appoints the Chairman. The NEDA regional director serves as Vice-Chairman.
No, the Executive Order expressly excludes the autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras from its coverage.
The Chairman presides over meetings, accepts donations, calls attention to implementation problems, supervises program monitoring, represents the region in national meetings, directs plan formulation, submits reports to the President, creates committees, and performs other presidential directives.
The Regional Office of the NEDA Secretariat serves as the principal technical staff of the Council and the Assembly.