City of Koronadal, South Cotabato– The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) XII spearheads the regional workshop on the alignment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and National/Regional Strategic Priorities with the local development plans of the provinces of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos and Cotabato on August 9-11, 2017 in General Santos City.

DILG XII Regional Director Reynaldo M. Bungubung highlights in his opening message that the said activity aims to show the complementation of the national, regional, provincial, city, municipal, and barangay plans, programs, projects and services as an essential part of development planning.

RD Bungubung also reminded the participants that in planning, they need to know the elements and agenda contained in the Sendai Framework, National Security Policy, Philippine/Regional Development Plans, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Thus, presentations along this concerns are included to serve as inputs for this activity.

Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) XII Assistant Regional Director Jerome B. Barranco presented the Sendai Framework and Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (RDRRM) of Region XII.

ARD Barranco mentioned that “the Sendai Framework provides a strong guidance to support national and local efforts to build resilience within the context of sustainable development.” He further emphasized that “it is the bedrock of the Philippines policies on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM).”

Meanwhile, Police Senior Superintendent Rolly S. Octavio, Acting Chief of the Regional Operations and Planning Division of Police Regional Office (PRO) XII, presented the National Security Policy, 2017-2022.

He pointed out that the said policy is a government way of unifying all efforts that will lead to greater progress and enhance the well-being of the Filipinos.

In addition, three NEDA XII staff presented the localization of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-2022 towards achieving the Ambisyon Natin 2040 and the SDG or Agenda 2030, SOCSSKSARGEN Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2017-2022, and the best practices, challenges and lessons learned during the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 2000-2015. They also facilitated the workshops during the said activity.

Mr. Guillermo R. Manrique, Jr., OIC-Chief Economic Development Specialist (CEDS) of Development Research Division (DRD), facilitated workshop 1-Understanding the Agenda 2030. The workshop enables the participants to have better understanding of the goals, targets and indicators of Agenda 2030. It also allows them to identify the strategies and policies that contribute in the attainment of SD goals, as well as, determine the marginalized sectors addressed.

On the other hand, Ms. Maria Felicidad R. Guerrero, CEDS of Policy Formulation and Planning Division (PFPD) facilitated workshop 2, Identification of the Flagship Program for Ambisyon 2040 and SDG agenda. The workshop allows the participants to identify its flagship programs, projects and activities and how it contributes in the realization of the Ambisyon Natin 2040 of “Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Buhay”, as well as, in the attainment of SD Agenda 2030 and National Security Policy, 2017-2022.

Meanwhile, Ms. Gwyneth Grace B. Collado, Economic Development Specialist (EDS) II of DRD facilitated workshop 3- Awareness Raising Campaign on SDG/Agenda 2030. The workshop empowers the participants to be creative in communicating their campaign/programs related to SDG to their stakeholders. It also enables the identification of their strategies, tools and approaches to be used, including the required resources.

The fourth and last workshop is on the Provincial Development Investment Plan (PDIP) Review for Alignment with National and Regional Priorities which was facilitated by Mr. Ian Jon Clemente, LGOOIV of DILG XII. The workshop facilitates the alignment of the investment programs/projects of the provinces and cities to the SD goals.

RD Bungubung is thankful and grateful for the active participation of the Local Development Council (LDC) Executive Committee members of the provinces of Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato and the cities of Cotabato and General Santos during the activity.

Following the Regional workshop are the provincial level workshops that are scheduled to be conducted on August 16 until September 8, 2017. The focus of these provincial workshops is on the alignment of the city/municipal programs/projects/activities with the National, Regional and Provincial priorities, the SDGs and alliance building between and among the city/municipal LGUs. (Sandra J. Alido, NEDA XII-DRD)