NEDA-CAR gives updates on regional development

Government Watch

Marissa M. Cabato

BAGUIO CITY -- Assistant Regional Director Stephanie Faculo Christiansen of the National Economic Development Agency Cordillera gave updates on several regional development initiatives in a 45-minute live television interview in Isyu@Serbisyo show of PTV Cordillera last Feb. 18.
    She cited the agency’s assistance in post-disaster needs assessment relative to the Covid-19 pandemic that resulted in formulation of the Cordillera regional recovery plan.
    The plan mandated commitment of all government agencies in responding to the pandemic in all sectors.
    NEDA provides guidance in post-disaster assessment and post-pandemic recovery as vice-chair of the Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the lead in Economic Recovery Cluster of the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force.
    NEDA-CAR as the technical secretariat of the BLISTT (Baguio, La Trinidad, Sablan, Tuba, Tublay governing council is assisting updating the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) “action agenda” with local governments, regional line agencies and private sector.
    She said the agency ensures programs are responsive to evolving needs of the BLISTT area experienced during the pandemic and requirements for recovery.
    Prior to this, she said  NEDA funded preparation of the BLISTT “sustainable development master plan” and five feasibility studies of proposed priority projects that could be considered in  updating of the BLISTT action agenda.
    She said the BLISTT as a growth center in the region demonstrated  cooperation of the six local chief executives especially during the pandemic when harmonized border controls and regulations were needed to be established and aggressive testing, contact tracing and resource sharing spearheaded by Baguio City were equally essential. 
    She said the BLISTT Outer Circumferential Road project commenced with a NEDA-initiated pre-feasibility study in 2016 in collaboration with the Public Works and Highways that provided connectivity of these areas.
    Said project received annual funding from DPWH since 2017 and is allotted P3 billion this year.
    On the advocacy for regional autonomy, she said that the House Bill was endorsed to the House committee on appropriation before the congressional session closed. This was earlier approved by the House committee on local government and ways and means.
    “The journey continues for regional autonomy,” she said.  She called on everyone to participate in the information and awareness campaign through the Speakers’ Bureau and the alliance building activities especially with new cabinet officers and officials.
    In closing, ARD Christiansen urged everyone to be engaged in the development process to ensure a matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay (deeply rooted, comfortable and secure life) which is the collective long-term vision of every Filipino outlined in the Philippine Development Plan and the Cordillera Regional Development Plan. She said that NEDA’s commitment in the preparation of development plans and programs for the region is guided by its organizational values of professionalism, integrity and excellence.
    Watch the interview for the details through the PTV YouTube channel @https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM57DjWtDcQ or Facebook @https://www.facebook.com/PTVCARPublicAffairs/videos/445130584007492.