Addressing major regional issues, endorsement of 12 infrastructure projects as well as approval of urgent economic and social programs and initiatives were the focus discussions during the 119th Regular Business Meeting of the Regional Development Council 2, with its Advisory Committee, on July 22, 2021 via videoconference.

Improvement of inter-and intra-regional connectivity was tackled with the endorsement of projects such as the: a) Tuguegarao-Enrile Diversion Road; b) Quezon-Delfin Albano Road; c) Cauayan Northeast Alternate Route; d) Ramon Bypass Road; e) Ramon-San Isidro-Echague Road; f) Cordon Bypass Road; g) Diadi-Cordon-Ramon Road; h) Bayombong-Quezon-Bagabag Road; i) conduct of feasibility study for Quezon-Diffun Alternate Road; j) construction of Nassiping – Dungao Bridge and Approaches; k) construction of Alcala Bridge (Tupang – Afusing) and Approaches; and the (l) improvement of critical road intersections in Nueva Vizcaya. The status of major infrastructure projects such as the Dalton Pass East Alternative Route, the proposed Eastern Seaboard, the North Eastern Luzon Expressway, and the proposed construction of missing links and new roads in Nueva Vizcaya-Pangasinan Road were also discussed during the meeting.

Other proposals approved by the Council include the Regional Coconut Industry Development Plan (RCIDP) 2022-2026, establishment of a Regional Yarn Production and Innovation, creation of a Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) office in Region 2, establishment of gender-sensitive and responsive Bahay Pag-Asa in all provincial local government units of the region, and establishment of senior citizens’ ward in every government hospitals in the valley.

The Council was also supportive to the requests of RDCs 1, 6, 11 and 12 through the passage of resolutions supporting and endorsing their concerns, to include: a) the recommendation to the PNP to decentralize to its regional offices the issuance of License to Exercise Security Profession (LESP) of Security Guards and License to Operate (LTO) for Security Agencies; b) endorsement of the immediate enactment of Senate Bill 1100 filed in the 18th Congress to fast tract the transfer of control and supervision of provincial and sub-provincial jails to the BJMP; c) support to the passage of the proposed Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card Registration Act currently filed in the 18th Congress; and d) support to Senate Bill 1268: “An Act Simplifying the Confirmation of Imperfect Titles, Amending for the Purpose PD 1529, and Republic Act No. 9176 and for other Purposes, respectively.#