On August 18, 2016, the new set of 12 private sector representatives (PSRs) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) 2 was selected through an election among 26 nominees from different private sector organizations across Region 2.

The 12 PSRs of the RDC 2 comprise one-fourth of the total membership of the fully constituted Council, giving them a major role to play in policy making and other development actvities of the region.

“As early as the provincial orientations conducted last month, you have already shown your commitment and enthusiasm to be part of the RDC 2 and we commend you for that,” said RDC 2 Acting Chair MaryAnne ER. Darauay, the Regional Director of the NEDA RO2.

“Thank you for heeding the call for partnership with the RDC, we need you in the Council,” she added.

Aside from their participation in all RDC 2 activities, the PSRs will also automatically be members of the four sectoral committees of the RDC 2.

Four of the elected PSRs will sit as members of the Social Development Committee (SDC), namely Corona C. Borja, Emelito C. Gonzales, Roger B. Whigan, and Cristina G. Reyes, representing the social subsectors on Education & Manpower, Health & Social Welfare, Indigenous Peoples, and Labor, respectively.

Meanwhile, six PSRs shall be joining the Economic Development Committee (EDC). Two of them will represent the Agriculture and Fisheries subsector, namely Engr. Romeo R. Vasquez and Elpidio B. Tortoza and three will represent the Commerce, Industry, Tourism, and Services subsector – Engr. Gilbert L. Cumila, Cecilia M. Dy, and Charles T. Lim.

Completing the six EDC PSRs is Protacio D. Laguinday, representing the environment and natural resources sector. He is continuing his three-year term as a PSR along with Borja, Gonzales, Tortoza, Vasquez, and Cumila.

Finally, the newest members of the Infrastructure Development Committee (IDC) and the Committee on Development Administration and Communication (CODAC) are Engr. Gilbert E. Acdal and Geronimo T. Zapata, respectively.

The newly-elected PSRs will be confirmed as official members of the RDC 2 on August 24, 2016 during the Council’s 107th Regular Business Meeting which will be held in Santiago City, Isabela.

Two other RDC 2 support committees – the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) and the Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) – will also be welcoming their new members who were chosen from among the PSRs who were not elected.

Digna C. Pagulayan and Roberto B. Madarang, Sr. will be joining the RPMC along with Acdal, who as an elected PSR of the IDC automatically becomes a PSR of the RPMC. For the RLUC on the other hand, Bella Patricia G. Osalvo and Ganzon O. Riñon are its new PSRs.#