DU30 appoints EdPam in RDC

The Malacañan Palace has formally released the letter of appointment signed by none other than President Rodrigo Duterte himself regarding the appointment of League of Cities of the Philippines President and Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan as the new chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Luzon under the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Dated December 12 of this year, it was indicated in the official letter that pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, the chairperson shall serve for a term of 3 years, which shall coincide with his regular term as local elective official.

This development came in after a buzz of appointing Pamintuan to DILG spread in the city. With the new role of EdPam in RDC, not only he could still serve his fellow Angeleños as city mayor but also it would be easier for him to pursue his infrastructure projects for Angeles to further improve traffic flow in this highly urbanized city as well as cascading priority projects in Region 3.

Some of the upcoming infrastructure projects he is eyeing include the Abacan Development Corridor that will connect east and west Angeles to SCTEx/ NLEx; the East Circumferential Road; theinterchange/flyoverfrom NLEx Angeles City tollgate to MacArthur Highway; and the Cuayan Bridge connecting to SCTEx.

Truly, his appointment as chairman of the RDC-3 by President Digong is another laurel for the Angeleños and Kapampangans. The 5time city mayor’s focus as chairperson is to make all mayors “have a say” in coordination with their respective governors in Central Luzon. This idea actually makes a lot of sense because they are the front-liners of their community. Mayors should know what needs to be

done in their jurisdiction, and they are the ones who should inform their provincial governor about the priorities of a town or city.

The Regional Development Council is considered to be the highest planning and policy-making body in a region. It serves as the counterpart of NEDA Board at the national level. By looking at it, RDC seems to be the main institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development activities in a region like Central Luzon. The council may also serve as a forum where local programs can be integrated with other regional or national development activities.