NEDA endorses P430.38-B 2025 devt projects in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITy: The Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC) has endorsed the P430.38 billion worth of development projects across the region for THE fiSCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET.

The RDC Bicol’s endorsement includes three top priority projects in the region, namely the Philippine National Railways South Long-Haul Project; airport development projects in Naga and Masbate; and the feasibility study for the Sorsogon-Samar Bridges Project.

These priority projects, according to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), will be lobbied to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the upcoming dialogue with all RDC chairpersons nationwide.

The vital projects for Bicol development were approved during the RDC full council meeting before NEDA Bicol Regional Director Luis Banua stepped down the other day on retirement from government service.

Aside from three major projects in the region, the RDC will also push the proposed 37 regional line agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations, and nine state universities and colleges to fund the education, nutrition program, and the tertiary education subsidy for the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

The RDC pushed the annual regional economic situationer, project 6B: Bawat Batang Bicolano Bihasang Bumasa at Bumilang; the expanded Philippine Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Program; port development and interconnectivity along the strong republic nautical highway corridors; the tertiary education subsidy for beneficiaries of the 4Ps Program; and the good practices of the Tabaco City Community-Based Monitoring System Dashboard as shared by Tabaco City Mayor Cielo Krisel Lagman.

The 2025 budget proposals, according to NEDA Bicol, were subjected to a stringent technical review from January 16-19 to strengthen the linkage of the planning, investment programming and budgeting processes, and ensure that the programs, activities and projects (PAPs) align with national and regional priorities, and are included in the Regional Development Investment Program (RDIP).

Also approved for inclusion in the RDIP are new PAPs, including the Department of Education’s Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools Project.

The Bicol RDC also backed various crucial initiatives by endorsing, approving and supporting the vital infrastructure projects in its commitment to steer the socioeconomic development of the region.