Members of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) of the RDC2 agreed to push coconut as a priority commodity to help coconut farmers in the region through the crafting of the Coconut Industry Cluster Plan. This undertaking was identified as the EDC’s convergence project under the leadership of Nueva Vizcaya Governor Ruth R. Padilla as chair of the EDC.

During its 3rd quarter meeting held on August 14, 2014 at the Lower Magat Eco-Tourism Park in Diadi, Nueva Vizcaya, the EDC approved the work program and time table of activities for the crafting of the Plan. As a preparatory activity, a Value Chain Analysis Workshop for said commodity will be conducted in October to be participated in by the Regional Line Agencies (RLAs), Local Government Units (LGUs) and selected stakeholders.

Another major concern that was tackled during the meeting was the proposed establishment of the Philippine Citrus Research and Development Center (PCRDC). Dr. Florentina S. Dumlao, President of the Nueva Vizcaya State University, explained that the establishment of the PCRDC was first introduced by Cong. Carlos M. Padilla through House Bill No. 4509 purposely to conduct research, training and generating cost-effective and efficient technologies, postharvest handling, processing and related studies that will be beneficial to the citrus industry.

While the Committee expressed its support to the proposal, it suggested the inclusion of the DENR and EMB in the PCRDC Advisory Council, as future expansions may cover public lands, consideration of other sources of budget aside from the GAA for its operations, inclusion of citrus producers in the governance of the Center, and to study further the legality of NVSU as part of the academe to put up a Center which will exercise regulatory function.

The Committee also committed to support the Investment Conference on Agri-business in Region 02 to be held on November 27, 2014 to help entice investors in the region. The Conference is organized by the Board of Investments and the Department of Trade and Industry Region 2 to achieve mutually beneficial projects or agreements for the region and its partner investors specifically on agri-business.

Another equally important concern that the Committee discussed was the conduct of the Road Safety Summit in all provinces of the region. This activity was conceived to reduce road accidents and elicit commitments from RLAs, LGUs, traders, farmers, transport groups and other stakeholders to help address the issue on road safety. Spearheaded by the Provincial LGUs, the Summit will be conducted weekly in October this year in the four mainland provinces of the region, where the province of Batanes will join the province of Cagayan.

The committee meeting ended with the approval and adoption of Chapters 1-3 of the 2013 Annual Regional Development Report. The Report presents the milestones that the region has achieved for CY 2013 vis-à-vis the targets stated in the 2011-2016 Cagayan Valley Regional Development Plan (CVRDP), particularly along Macroeconomy, Competitive Industry & Services Sector, and Modern & Competitive Agriculture & Fisheries Sector. ##