By Helen Castaño | 12:28 PM October 21, 2022
Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado was appointed as the new Chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) of Central Visayas, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Central Visayas announced on Friday, Oct. 21.
NEDA said Aumentado is the new chairperson, while Cebu’s Kenneth Cobonpue serves as co-chairperson.
The appointment of Aumentado and Cobonpue, now chairperson of the RDC 7’s Infrastructure Development Committee, was announced in a transmittal letter from the Office of the President dated October 19, 2022.
Aumentado and former Negros Oriental Gov. Henry Teves were the two nominees picked by the RDC as chairperson during the August 22, 2022 meeting. Teves voluntarily relinquished his post as governor after days of being locked in a “battle” over the governorship with duly elected Gov. Roel Degamo.
The Regional Development Council-VII is the highest policy-making body in the region. It is tasked to coordinate the formulation of long-term, medium-term and annual socio-economic development policies of Central Visayas.
High-impact livelihood programs and big-ticket infrastructure projects need to earn the approval of RDC before implementation.
The Regional Development Council is composed of all provincial governors, city mayors, national government agencies, members of the business community, civil society and non-government organizations.
Aumentado expressed gratitude to the President for his appointment.
“Dako kaayo ang akong pasalamat sa atong mahal nga Presidente, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., sa iyang pagpili nako isip Chair sa Regional Development Council (RDC) Central Visayas. Bisan pa man og bag-o pa lang ako nagsugod sa akong termino, gihatagan gihapon ako og maayong higayon nga atong maserbisyohan ang mga katawhan sa atong rehiyon, ” Aumentado said in a statement.
“Dili kini sayon na posisyon ug naglangkob kini ug dugang responsibilidad alang kanako. Apan, pinaagi sa tabang sa mga kaubanan nakong Gobernador, mga Mayor, ug uban pa nga mga miyembro sa RDC VII, atong mapatuman ang mga nagkadaiyang kalihukan alang sa paglambo sa atong rehiyon, ” he added.