The Regional Development Council 2 – Project Development Assistance Center (RDC2-PDAC) successfully held a Project Concept Note (PCN) Writing Workshop on June 25-26, 2024 at the Pamegafanan Hall, NEDA RO2 in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. This initiative aimed to equip participants with the expertise to craft PCNs that meet minimum standards and attract potential private sector partners in the region.

NEDA Assistant Regional Director Engr. Ferdinand P. Tumaliuan graced the activity, highlighting the Center’s commitment to empowering stakeholders through PCN development skills training. He emphasized the importance of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements as one of the successful strategies for regional infrastructure development and service delivery.

The workshop delved into various topics including introductions to PPPs, project identification concepts, logical framework, and problem tree analysis. This knowledge gave the participants information in crafting at least one PCN each for the 31 agencies covering project

Proposed infrastructure projects in the province of Batanes were endorsed during the Joint Full Council and Advisory Committee Meeting of the Cagayan Valley Regional Development Council (RDC2) held on May 29, 2024 at the Batanes State College Amphitheater, Basco, Batanes.

These projects include farm-to-market roads, municipal fish ports, breakwater, seawall, local office buildings, and a Level 3 water system. These were endorsed to the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agriculture, and the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority, respectively for evaluation and funding.

During the meeting, environmental concerns that affect the implementation of development projects in the province were also tackled. Batanes Governor Marilou H. Cayco requested the assistance of the Council and the concerned regional line agencies in facilitating the resolution of issues that impede project implementation.

The issues raised by the Governor are related to the required permits and

The eight regions of Luzon Island, represented by the NEDA Regional Offices and Metro Manila Development Authority, convened on May 21-22, 2024 at the NEDA Regional Office 3, San Fernando City, Pampanga to update the Luzon Spatial Development Framework (LSDF) 2015-2045. The LSDF is one of the three Area Spatial Development Frameworks of the country prepared in 2015 to operationalize the National Spatial Strategy (NSS) and provide the spatial development directions for the island of Luzon. The end in view is to optimize its resources and potentials through the physical and economic integration of its regions. Nine years after its completion, the NEDA revisits the LSDF to make it relevant and responsive to recent developments pertaining to land use and the changing social, economic, and environmental conditions.

This first workshop aims to update the profile of Luzon Island, assess the extent of

The Committee on Development Administration and Communication (CODAC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC2) discussed several digitalization initiatives such as the proposed Konektadong Pinoy Bill and E-Governance Bill, and the conduct of the e-Governance Forum during its Second Quarter Meeting held on May 14, 2024 in Tuguegarao City.

The Konektadong Pinoy Bill, previously known as the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, proposes various reforms in the telecommunications sector. These reforms aim to streamline procedures for the market entry of telecommunication companies, enhance access to facilities, optimize the use of radio spectrum resources, mandate infrastructure sharing, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms in the sector.

Atty. Carlo Agdamag, Technical Consultant of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), stated that the Bill aims to address the poor network connectivity and digital divide experienced in urban and rural areas caused by geographical constraints, level the

The Regional Research, Development, and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) held its first meeting for the year today, April 17 at the NEDA Office, Tuguegarao City.

Topping the agenda were several key items:

• Approval of the Regional Research Dissemination Forum

• Approval of the Draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for implementing the Cagayan Valley Regional Research and Development Agenda (2023-2028)

• Establishment of the Cagayan Valley Patent Agents

• Endorsement of the Bamboo Research and Development Extension Program by Cagayan State University

Other items for discussion included the concerns on the sustainable supply of bamboo raw materials for the Regional Yarn Production Innovation Center, dissemination of research findings and recommendations from the research studies conducted by the University of Cagayan Valley and University of Saint Louis Tuguegarao, and the report on the first quarter accomplishments of the technical working groups for innovation and