RPAC adopts Bicol RDP 2023-2028 official primer; approves updated CY 2023 4th quarter WFP

During its fourth quarter meeting held on October 5, 2023, at Hotel St. Ellis, Legazpi City, the Regional Plan Advocacy Committee (RPAC) adopted the proposed Bicol Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023-2038 official primer, as part of the committee’s advocacy initiatives for the RDP’s full implementation.

The primer is a 24-page handy reference material that condenses the 316 pages of the Bicol RDP 2023-2028. It briefly introduces and summarizes the development context, targets, and strategy frameworks in the plan chapters, to provide reader convenience and thereby facilitate a better understanding of the RDP.

To encourage full support for the plan, the primer will be distributed both through digital and physical copies to regional government entities, local government units, private sector organizations, civil society organizations, academe, media partners, and the general public. Further, the primer will be translated into Filipino to promote inclusivity.

Meanwhile, the RPAC also approved the committee’s updated CY 2023 fourth quarter work and financial program, which includes the conduct of advocacy and media engagement activities, social media campaign, and capacity building; and preparation and publication of information, education, and communication materials.

Other important matters discussed in the meeting were the reports on the Bicol RDP regional launch which the committee spearheaded, and the Department of Health’s strategies on "Achieving Healthy Pilipinas and the AmBisyon Natin 2040 through the Health Promotion Framework Strategy,” which is aligned to the RDP.

The RPAC will reconvene on December 12, 2023 for its fourth quarter meeting and year-end planning and assessment.