March 11, 2026
The Regional Development Committee – Luzon Area Committee (RDCom – LAC) convened on March 10, 2026 for its First Quarter Regular Business Meeting for CY 2026 via Zoom to formally select a new set of officers for the term 2026–2028.
The Luzon RDCom members elected La Union Governor and RDC I Chairperson Mario Eduardo C. Ortega as its Chairperson, and Oriental Mindoro Governor and RDC MIMAROPA Chairperson Humerlito A. Dolor as Co-Chairperson. Governor Ortega expressed his gratitude for the trust and confidence of his fellow governors to lead the Luzon RDCom. He emphasized the shared responsibility of Luzon leaders, and underscored the importance of strong coordination to push progress across Luzon.
The meeting also highlighted the approval of the Luzon Spatial Development Framework (LSDF), a guide to link economic activities and capital build-up across regions in Luzon towards achieving inclusive and sustainable development. Governor Ortega underscored the importance of additional priority concerns such as energy, infrastructure, and food security at the regional level, which will be considered for future updating of the LSDF.
Also discussed include the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) – Western Nautical Highway (Batangas-Mindoro-Aklan Link) Development/ Improvement, the 2023-2025 Luzon RDCom accomplishments, and the proposed agenda for 2026.
Present during the Luzon RDCom meeting include Governor Elias C. Bulut, Jr., Province of Apayao and PSR Arnel Cabanisas (RDC CAR Chair and Co-Chair), Governor Edgar B. Aglipay, Province of Cagayan and PSR Robin James Gunnacao (RDC II Chair and Co-Chair), Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane, Jr., Province of Zambales and PSR Reynato C. Arimbuyotan (RDC III Chair and Co-Chair), PSR Richard Albert I. Osmond (RDC CALABARZON Co-Chair), Governor Noel E. Rosal, Province of Albay and PSR Aurora De Guzman (RDC V Chair and Co-Chair), and RDC NCR representatives (MMDA).
The DEPDev CO – RDS Director and staff, and the DEPDev Regional Directors and staff in Luzon, who serve as the Secretariat to their respective RDCs also participated and guided their respective RDC Chairs in the course of the meeting.
The RDCom shall assist the Economy and Development (ED) Council – RDCom in the performance of its functions and serve as a clearinghouse of interregional concerns and issues that need to be elevated to the national level. 𝘿𝙀𝙋𝘿𝙚𝙫2-𝘿𝙍𝘾𝘼𝘿