- CHERYL G. CRUZ
The oath-taking during the RDC and National Economic and Development Authority6 orientation on the mandates and functions of the RDC and NEDA was witnessed by the mayor’s wife, Nikki Benitez, several councilors and other city officials, and NEDA regional director Arecio Casing Jr. and assistant RD Cynthia Lumampao, among others.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Benitez as chairperson of the RDC6 in October after the latter was unanimously elected to lead the Council until 2025 during its reorganization in August.
Among his functions and responsibilities as RDC chairperson are to supervise the monitoring and implementation of major interprovincial and regionwide development programs, projects and activities; direct the formulation of a comprehensive regional development plan and the preparation of a system of investment programming activities at the national level; submit to the President, through the NEDA Board, regional plans, investment programs, and development reports; and when called upon, represent the region in Cabinet meetings and budget review activities at the national level, the city said.
During the 3rd Quarter regular meeting Oct. 13 that Benitez hosted in Bacolod, he said that projects in waiting include those on power, waste management, and a regional penal colony./CGC
