RSDC expands programs for social development in 2019

April 21, 2019 Provincial

BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) will prioritize the municipalities of Tineg, Abra; Calanasan, Apayao; Bakun, Benguet; Tinoc, Ifugao; Pasil, Kalinga; and Paracelis, Mountain Province as the focus of its social development efforts for the next three years, a recent statement released by the National Economic and Development Authority – Cordillera (NEDA-CAR) has said.
The statement also said that the first convergence program for poor municipalities in the past 3 years is now successfully being implemented according to RSDC chair and DSWD-CAR regional director Janet Armas during the 1st quarter RSDC meeting on March 26.
The focus of the first convergence program was on the following areas: Malibcong, Abra; Kabugao, Apayao; Kibungan, Benguet; Banaue, Ifugao; Tinglayan, Kalinga; and Sadanga, Mountain Province.
The RSDC spearheaded efforts in addressing several social development issues in 2018, the statement said. The statement also said that NEDA-CAR presented the accomplishments of the Committee which included four resolutions that were passed in 2018, most significant of which is the support for the bill creating the Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (CSITE) which was recently passed into law.
The Committee continued the information dissemination of its advocacies: the Unconditional Cash Transfer Program (UCTP); the hiring of licensed social workers; K-12 implementation; reproductive health; and the region’s pursuit for autonomy through presentations in various events.
The statement also said that the housing subcommittee urged the body to endorse the expansion of the functions of local housing boards in the Cordillera LGUs of which only about 20 of the existing 80 boards are operational.
The current local housing boards of LGUs have limited function concerning eviction and demolition, the statement said.
The statement also said that expansion of the functions of the housing boards that includes the establishment of a one-stop shop for processing housing permits, assisting LGUs in various housing plans, and facilitating beneficiaries of housing programs, among others was proposed by Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) regional coordinator Michelline Inay.

MJSdelRosario/ABN