The Private Sector Representatives (PSRs) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 02 participated in the recently concluded 12^th RDC-PSRs National Convention conducted via Zoom Video Conference on April 28-29, 2021. With the theme “Private Sector Representatives’ Role in the Regions’ Recovery and Resiliency”, the event aimed to define the roles of the private sectors as reliable partners of the government in the regions’ recovery from the adverse effects of the pandemic, and their resiliency through adoption of technology and innovation.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua, in his keynote message, mentioned the vision and various sectoral development roadmaps in the country. He also shared the government’s recovery measures from the pandemic and the other economic shocks affected by the country. He said that the progress in achieving the 10-point socioeconomic agenda of the current administration is advancing strongly. “The pandemic and its adverse economic impact are putting us to test. But, the Philippines has solid fundamentals to address the crisis. In order to do this, the economy will be reopened to better quarantine status at the appropriate time and the age groups allowed to go out will be expanded but with all the safeguards in place; the timely implementation of recovery package, and timely implementation of the vaccine program will be ensured”, the Secretary said.

Relevant topics presented by experts from various fields during the convention include: a) the National COVID-19 Vaccination Plan by Dir. Napoleon L. Arevalo of the Department of Health (DOH); b) the Resiliency Through Digital Transformation by Dir. Francis Mark A. Quimba of Philippine Institute for Development Study (PIDS); c) the Innovation in the Agriculture Sector by Dr. Feliciano G. Calora, Jr. of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD); and, d) Achieving Ambisyon Natin 2040 through Sustainable Finance by ASec. Paola Sherina A. Alvarez of the Department of Finance (DOF).

A Business Meeting was conducted on the second day where the PSRs across the country looked back and settled the matters arising from the previous RDC-PSRs’ National Convention. During the meeting, the PSRs discussed common important concerns such as the strengthened and increased participation of the PSRs on the Regional Task Force on COVID-19 and the Regional Development Council; the enhancement of the monitoring schemes in the implementation of the government’s programs and projects; vaccination plans for industry workers; and other environmental concerns.

NEDA USec. Mercedita A. Sombilla, in her closing message, emphasized the importance of continuous partnership between the government and the private sector in ensuring food security, nutrition and sustenance of livelihood of millions of farmers and fisher folks especially during the pandemic. She said that “the private sectors’ involvement is needed to help respond to challenges brought about by the shift of demand structure which involves switching production lines and increasing capacity to manage inventories; moving to online platforms and direct delivery to households; as well as in finding alternative markets for products affected as people change their consumption habits.”

USec. Sombilla also called on the PSRs of the RDCs to be more proactive in pushing for more platforms on innovation and leveraging support and cooperation to bolster pandemic response, to improve social service delivery, and create more economic opportunities for all Filipinos.

The 12^th RDC-PSRs National Convention was hosted by RDC Caraga. A total of 262 RDC-PSRs across regions participated in the event. The 13^th National Convention will be hosted by the RDC Ilocos Region. #NEDA2-DRD