The RDC2 recently approved the conversion of the Regional Research Committee (RRDC) of the RDC2 into Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) to maximize the innovation potentials in the region. The conversion was unanimously approved during the Joint RDC, RDC Advisory Committee, RPOC, RTF-ELCAC, and BP2 Meeting held on March 20 in Ilagan City, Isabela.

The passage of two enabling laws in 2019 namely:  Republic Act 11293 known as the Philippine Innovation Act and Republic Act 11337 also known as the Innovative Start-up Act was the turning point of an aggressive, proactive and inclusive development in terms of innovation and start-up ecosystem. These laws triggered the conversion of the existing RRDC into RRDIC as a support committee of the RDC2.

RRDC Chair and DOST RD Sancho A. Mabborang underscored that the RRDIC aims to facilitate coordination, provide policy directions, and harmonize and prioritize major R&D and innovation activities in the region. The committee is also tasked to prepare and update the Regional Research and Development Agenda (RRDA) and serve as channel for RDI issues and concerns.

Two Regional Technical Working Groups (TWGs) namely: TWG on Innovation and TWG on Start-Up will be created under the committee. The TWG on Innovation will be chaired by DOST while the TWG on Start-up will be chaired by the DTI.