ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Sultan Kudarat called for a public hearing on its draft Climate and Disaster Risk Assessment-enhanced Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (CDRA-PDPFP) 2022-2031 on May 17, 2022 at the SP Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. The Sultan Kudarat CDRA-PDPFP 2022-2031, prepared through the assistance of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office XII provides the direction of growth of urban settlements and spatial dimension of the socio economic development plan of the province for the next ten years.
In the new spatial framework, the Municipality of Isulan, the City of Tacurong and the Municipality of Lebak are the major urban and growth centers of the province. Tacurong City and Isulan both serve as the primary business and economic centers, financial hubs, and the pivots for education and health and wellness.
On the other hand, in the coastal areas of the province, Lebak is identified as the main economic and growth center as well as the alternate administrative seat of the Provincial Government of the province. The province’s competitive and comparative advantages are also highlighted, such as being the largest coffee producing province in the country, and being the major producer of organic tilapia and other freshwater aquaculture products in Mindanao.
The vision adopted for the plan is: “A sustainable agro-industrial and eco-cultural tourism province with God-centered, safe and resilient Sultan Kudarateňos enjoying environment-friendly and healthy life led by people-oriented governance.”
The development thrust and spatial strategy is known as SK SIKAT KA or the “Sultan Kudarat Sustainable Inter-linK of Agro-industrial and Agri-eco Tourism development of Four Special Key Areas.” SK SIKAT KA aims to develop the agriculture sector as the foundation of development of the province while linking the agri-processing industries with agriculture tourism. It also aims to develop the province based on the distinct comparative advantages of each of its constituencies (1 city and 11 municipalities) considering natural resources, existing & potential industries and human resources.
After gaining the public’s acceptance, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan moved for the endorsement of the Sultan Kudarat PDPFP to Governor Suharto T. Mangudadatu. The Office of the Governor shall endorse the same to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Regional Office XII, and subsequently to the Regional Land Use Committee of the Regional Development Council (RDC) XII, for final review.
In attendance to the said meeting were Vice Governor Jose Remos P. Segura, Provincial Administrator Jimmy C. Andang, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, acting Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Marchie Q. Yadao, members of the local planning team, and the stakeholders from the different sectors (i.e. business community, academe, youth organizations, PWD, environment, religious, IPs, among others). (Jal P. Octavio, PFPD-NEDA XII)