The Cagayan Valley Regional Development Council held its 121st Joint RDC Full Council and Advisory Committee Meeting on December 15 in Ilagan City, Isabela. RDC Chair and Isabela Governor Rodolfo T. Albano III presided over the meeting to discuss matters requiring the Council’s action and support.

The Council supported the proposed declaration of the Palali-Mamparang Mountain Range (PMMR) in the province of Nueva Vizcaya as protected area. The PMMR is a significant terrestrial and inland water biodiversity conservation area, holding the watershed that provides for the agricultural areas in the region.

It also endorsed for funding major infrastructure projects in Isabela, namely, the Tumauini River Multipurpose and Ilaguen Multipurpose Irrigation and Power Projects and the adoption of the Annual Update of the Regional Development Investment Program 2017-2022.

Relative to the continuing efforts to responsibly manage the Cagayan River Basin, the Isabela State University presented the NEDA commissioned study on water security in the Cagayan River Basin. The study aims to assess the impact of present and future climate to water resources and demands for agriculture, domestic and industry. The study is funded under the SC-SDG of NEDA.

As a continuing concern, the RDC Special Committee on Devolution presented the status of the Devolution Transition Plans (DTPs) of the national government agencies and LGUs. This is in line with Executive Order 138 or the Full Devolution law implementation in the region.

At the onset of the meeting, the Council also took the opportunity to recognize the regional winners of the recently concluded Region 02 Search for Outstanding COVID-19 Volunteers as part of the celebration of the National Volunteers Month.