DavNor governor elected DIDP chair

DAVAO del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib was elected as the new chair of the Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP) during the organization’s board meeting in Compostela Valley on Wednesday.

Compostela Valley Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy was reelected vice chairman while Davao del Norte Provincial Administrator Josie Jean Rabanos is the new DIDP executive director, replacing lawyer Wendel Avisado who was recently appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as the new secretary of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

“I will continue to strengthen DIDP’s leadership and relevance in advancing Davao Region’s sustainable growth and development,” Jubahib said.

DIDP is the longestrunning model aggrupation of LGUs bent on addressing inadequate social services and infrastructure facilities, food security issues, as well as environmental degradation.

Since the program’s inception in 1994, the national government has already poured around PHP700 million for the implementation of farm-to-market road projects, small irrigation development projects, and more livelihood and resource management projects.

Jubahib said that part of the agenda of the new DIDP board is strengthening the program’s thrust on food

security, potable water, wildlife conservation, solid waste management, and flood control, among other priorities.

DIDP’s members include the cities of Davao, Tagum, Panabo, Digos and the Island Garden City of Samal, as well as the provinces of Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental. (PNA)