The members of the Cagayan Valley Regional Development Council (RDC) were briefed on the salient points of the newly formulated Cagayan Valley Regional Development Plan (CVRDP) 2023-2028 during the RDC meeting on April 12, 2023 at Ilagan City, Isabela.

RDC Vice-Chair and NEDA Regional Director Dionisio C. Ledres, Jr. led the discussion on the CVRDP highlighting the Plan formulation process, the region’s vision and role in national development, development challenges encountered in 2017-2022, the Plan’s framework, key regional strategies, and major programs and projects in the region.

“By 2040, the Cagayan Valley Region will be the gateway to East Asia, its economy driven by agro-industries, manufacturing, IT-based industries, nature and culture tourism, where people are living in peace and prosperity,” said Director Ledres. He highlighted the potential of the Cagayan Valley Region such as its strategic geographic location in East Asia, its position as the top producer of corn and palay, vast lands for manufacturing and industrial activities, rich water and forest resources, resource endowments for agriculture, nature, adventure and culture tourism, and the presence of educated and skilled human resources.

Some of the major development strategies outlined in the Plan include improving the productivity and resilience of the agriculture sector; strengthening the linkage of agriculture with industry and services; promoting investments in manufacturing and IT-BPM industries; developing and promoting agri, nature, adventure and culture tourism; establishing alternative energy sources; improving land, sea and air transport; and increasing value-adding activities for the agri sector.

Director Ledres also presented several infrastructure proposals and on-going projects such as the Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project, the Cagayan Valley Eastern Seabord Highway, Cagayan Valley Railway Project, Cagayan-Apayao-Ilocos Norte and Cagayan-Apayao-Ilocos Sur Road Projects, Quirino-Baler-Pantabangan Road, and Sta. Fe-San Nicolas Road Project.
The CVRDP 2023-2028 was approved by the RDC on March 29, 2023 through a referendum, and was confirmed by the Council during the meeting.# NEDA2-DRD