The Private Sector Representatives of the Regional Development Council 2 joined the conduct of the 11^th RDC-PSRs National Convention-Virtual Edition on June 29-30, 2020. More than two hundred PSRs of the RDCs across the regions attended the said activity.

This year, the two-day national convention focused on the significant role of PSRs in their respective sectors under the new normal. The adopted theme is “”Together. Moving. Forward: Harnessing the RDC-PSR’s Role in the New Normal”.

The topics discussed during the first day of the activity include economic prospects for the Philippines in 2020 and beyond, the role of PSRs in the Balik Probinsya Bagong Pag-asa Program, the challenges and opportunities in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIRe) under the new normal, and volunteerism program for COVID-19. The speakers are Ambassador Benedicto Yujuico of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; National Economic and Development Authority Acting Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua; National Housing Authority Mgr. Marissa B. Maniquis; DTI Philippines Usec. Rafaelita M. Aldaba; and Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency Executive Director Donald James Gawe.

On the second day, RDC2 Co-Chair Blessida G. Diwa, as the head of the delegation, joined the head delegates of other regions and Vice-Chairs of the RDCs for the PSR Business Meeting. Among the issues discussed are the participation of PSRs in Regional Task Force-COVID-19, the sectoral concerns and rural situations that need to be considered for the policies and guidelines for the transport sector, improvement of the ICT infrastructure services, the absence of central government portal to access public information, and strengthening mechanisms in protecting children against online sexual abuse and exploitation amidst online learning.

The 2020 PSR National Convention is the first virtual meeting of the PSRs, hosted by RDC VIII. Hundred percent of the RDC2-PSRs participated in the two-day activity.