GOVERNMENT leaders and lawmakers from Central Visayas convened at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Feb. 9 to align the region’s development priorities with the proposed 2027 national budget.
The consultation, organized by the Regional Development Council (RDC)-Central Visayas, brought together members of the Joint RDC executive and advisory committees, regional line agencies, local chief executives, and district representatives for a technical review of the region’s annual development budget alignment.
The meeting marked the first time the House of Representatives conducted a high-level consultation of this kind in coordination with the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) and RDC-7. The agencies are now working to institutionalize the process.
“We gather today not only to review numbers and proposals, but more importantly, to shape the development direction of Central Visayas for fiscal year 2027 and beyond,” Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, RDC-7 chair, said in her opening message.
“This consultation provides a vital platform for aligning our local and regional priorities with the national budget, ensuring that our plans translate into real, tangible outcomes for the people we serve,” she added.
Among those present were Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado, RDC co-chair Melanie Ng, DepDev-7 regional director Jennifer Bretaña, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano, and several Central Visayas lawmakers, including Cebu City North District Rep. Edu Rama who hosted the event.
Baricuatro stressed that the consultation went beyond reviewing figures and proposals, calling it a critical step in setting the region’s long-term development direction and ensuring that planning results in measurable benefits for communities.
Regional line agencies presented their priority programs, activities, and projects, outlining key development challenges and emerging opportunities in Central Visayas.
Baricuatro urged the region’s lawmakers to help advance these priorities from proposal to funding and implementation.
“By speaking with one strong regional voice and rallying behind a clear set of priorities, we strengthen our case for national support,” she said, emphasizing that unity and preparedness would help secure investments with the greatest impact.
Bretaña said the consultation forms part of the RDC’s ongoing effort to strengthen coordination between regional agencies and national policymakers, reinforcing collaborative planning as a foundation for sustainable and inclusive growth in Central Visayas.
