TACLOBAN CITY- The Regional Convergence Initiative (RCI) of Region-8 was awarded a plaque of recognition during the 2017 National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD) Summit held in Vigan Cultural Center, Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Director Leonardo Sibbaluca of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 8 received the award on behalf of the RCI Region 8 told reporters that RCI Region 8 was awarded as one of the seven regions in the country that pioneered in the preparation of the Convergence Area Development Plan (CADP).
Sibbaluca said that last January 24-27, 2017, RCI-8 conducted a four-day CADP workshop at the Leyte Park Hotel, Tacloban City for the municipalities of Javier, Abuyog, MacArthur and Mahaplag, all in Leyte.
To date, the CADPs prepared by these municipalities are being reviewed by the 14 RCI member agencies for possible inclusion of the proposed projects from the four RCI municipalities into their respective agencies’ plans, programs and activities.
Sibbaluca said that this year’s summit aimed to provide an overview of NCI-SRD to the new administration and present success stories of convergence sites at different stages of implementation.
On the other hand, Francisco Rosaroso, chief Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Section (RAFIS), DA-RFO 8 told reporters in an interview that since 2010, RCI Region 8, through the DA-RFO 8, DENR-8 and the Department of Agrarian Reform has piloted several programs and projects in Javier, Leyte.
In 2015, the DILG was added was added to the RCI as another participating agency.
“In 2016, the 3 nearby municipalities of Abuyog, MacArthur, and Mahaplag, Leyte were included. Javier, Leyte now becomes a model of convergence for the province of Leyte,” Rosaroso added.
Rosaroso explained that the National Convergence Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (NCI-SRD) has been conducting the NCI summit once every two years in its efforts to mainstream its programs and projects and eventually raise awareness towards inclusive holistic sustainable countryside growth.
This summit is regarded as an effective tool in conveying the gains and insights on the different convergence schemes being implemented as well as the successes of the convergence sites nationwide. (RESTITUTO A. CAYUBIT)
