Sharing updates on the economic development status of the Ilocos Region and reinforcing the collaborative efforts of the economic sector agencies, the Economic Development Committee (EDComm1) formerly Economic Development Sectoral Committee (EDSecom) led by DA-RFO I Regional Executive Director Fidel L. Libao as Committee Chair, held its 1st regular Meeting on March 16, 2026 at the 5th Floor of the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office I.
An activity that served as a platform to discuss performance reviews of various government agencies within the economic sector for Calendar Year 2025 including the major project proposals for Fiscal Year 2027, the activity also aims to reinforce the collaborative efforts required to address economic challenges and opportunities in the Ilocos Region.
Graced by La Union Governor Mario Eduardo C. Ortega, the Regional Development Council (RDC) Chair who gave the Opening Remarks, emphasized the critical need for cooperation among national government agencies, local government units, and the private sector to address the emerging crisis of rising oil prices due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which are expected to significantly impact all stakeholders in the region.
The Department of Development (DepDev), serving as the EDC Secretariat, facilitated discussions on numerous topics relevant to regional development, planning, monitoring and evaluation of physical and financial targets and accomplishment under the economic sector agencies.
In particular, DepDev presented the criteria they use to determine major priority programs for endorsement to be funded as well as the tools that are being utilized to monitor the implementation of programs, projects and activities of the various economic sector agencies.
Topping the criteria of endorsing PAPs for funding is on the implementation of infrastructure projects while others also include the alignment with or respond to the regional development plan for 2023-2028 including the spatial coverage, project costs, and the promotion of inclusive development equity.
Among the major priority projects endorsed by the EDC for funding are the DA’s farm-to-market roads, the programs and projects under the national rice and corn program, fisheries, high value crops and livestock program, research and development as well as the agri-machinery distribution, among others.
In the same event, representatives from EDC-member agencies such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Agriculture (DA), presented various initiatives that their agencies have been doing like the investment promotion guide as well as the DA’s flagship program and regional convergence for sustainable rural development, respectively.