Duterte to convene Ledac by Sept or Oct

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte is set to conduct a LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) summit by September or October, National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) Secretary Ernesto Pernia said on Tuesday.

Pernia made the announcement even after Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said that convening Ledac is not among Duterte’s priorities.

Speaking to reporters, Pernia said the council is expected to discuss several vital issues that need to be addressed.

The Ledac, he said, will look into the proposal to create Water Resources Department or Authority, the “super body” for the water resources sector and the creation of an independent economic and financial regulator for the water sector.

Pernia said the National Transport Policy, which ought to coordinate different transport projects will also be tackled during the meeting, so that the connectivity across regions and provinces will be “more systematic.”

He said the council will also tackle the proposed amendments on the BuildOperate-Transfer Law and its implementing rules and regulations (IRR).

“This has to do with hurdling the right of way problems, procurement and other implementation problems that tend to stymie the rapid processing of projects and implementation of projects,” Pernia said.

Pernia said amending the Electric Power Industry Reform Act and the Water Code of the Philippines will also be scrutinized.

The Ledac is composed of 20 members, with Duterte seating as chairman.

Other members include Vice President Leni Robredo, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, seven Cabinet members, three members each from the Senate and the House of Representatives, a representative from local government unit, a representative from a youth sector, and a representative from private sector.

Republic Act 7640 mandates that the council should meet at least once every quarter but it may be convened by the President for special meeting as may be necessary.

Duterte’s predecessor, President Benigno Aquino III, convened the Ledac only thrice during his administration.