Mayor John Dalipe and Zamboanga Sibugay Governor Ann K. Hofer, chairpersons of the Regional Development Council (RDC) and the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) of the Zamboanga Peninsula or Western Mindanao Region, jointly convened the quarterly meeting of both councils in Isabela City, Basilan Province on Friday, June 23.
The move was a reaffirmation of Isabela City’s stronghold as administratively part of the Zamboanga Peninsula region after it opted out of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which covers entire island province of Basilan [except the city].
The joint meeting was called to order, first by RDC9 Chair Dalipe then RPOC9 Chair Hofer, followed by the invocation, national anthem and Isabela City Hymn (on AVP).
Regional Director Paisal Abutazil of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG9), head of RPOC9 Secretariat, made the roll call and recognition of participants.
Isabela City Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman then took delight in welcoming to her city the RDC-RPOC delegates headed by Mayor Dalipe and Gov. Hofer together with the regional directors of the different regional government agencies and private sector representatives.
Shortly, RDC Chair Dalipe sworn in DOLE9 Regional Director Albert E. Gutib as Co-Chairperson of RSDC9 for the remaining term 2023-2025, and 1st Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen Antonio G. Nafarette as a special non-voting member of RDC9.
Top on the agenda was the RDC’s approval/endorsement of 2022 Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development Report, Zamboanga Peninsula Regional Development Investment Program for 2023-2028, the Sustainable Livelihood Program in support of EO 70, s.2018, Establishment of Quarantine Facility in Zamboanga City for Crops and Other Products, the Pang-Agraryong Tulay Para Sa Bagong Bayanihan Ng Mga Magsasaka (PBBM) Bridge Project, and the Mobilizing Investments Towards Poverty Eradication, Peacebuilding and Sustainability Project, among others.
Also discussed was the Pestalotiopsis Leaf Fall Disease that hit most of the rubber plantations in Isabela City and Basilan as a whole.
The RDC has also approved and endorsed the Inter/Intra Regional Priority Projects for (ZamPen) Mindanao, and the request of Isabela City for the release of the 2nd tranche budget for the Carbon/ Diki/ Tampalan Indigenous People Housing projects.
Meanwhile, the military, police and PDEA presented their respective reports/accomplishments to the RPOC viz-a-viz the anti-insurgency and anti-terrorism campaign, peace and order and public safety, status on the anti-illegal drug operations, and the 2023 Support to Barangay Development Program.-[Vic Larato]