NEDA Regional Office No. 8, Palo Leyte – The Regional Research and Development and Innovation Committee (RDDIC) conducted its first meeting on February 27, 2018, at the Filipina Hall of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) in Palo Leyte.
The RDDIC aims to bridge the gap and challenges of regional socio-economic development by ensuring researches, innovations and other S&T-based projects are relevant, responsive and aligned to regional development thrusts. The committee members are the Regional Directors of DA, DENR, DOH and CHED; Presidents of SUCs, HEIs and PASUC in the region; Chairs of various consortia in the region such as VICARP, EVCIEERD and EVHRDC; Presidents of Industry/Sectoral groups (with S&T related advocacies)/Private Sector Representatives; and Chairs of PLGUs.
The meeting last February 27 was attended by representatives of SUCs with Dr. Tulin of SSU and Dr. Olavides of PIT present, the consortium Chair of VICARP and representatives of EVCIEERD and EVHRDC and representatives of DA, DOH, DENR, and CHED. The chair of RDDIC is the Regional Director of DOST Engr. Edgardo Esperancilla and Co-Chair from NEDA.
The first meeting was attended by the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora who presented the Harmonized National R&D Agenda (HNRDA) 2017-2022. The consortium chairs also presented their respective plans and programs for the information of other agencies not members of the research consortia. The strength of each research institute was presented to serve as the initial talking points of the committee.
Samar State University was identified to take the lead in the fishery-related researches, ICT, poverty alleviation, coastal and water engineering. Other SUCs also identified their niche areas. The RDDIC will meet again in the second quarter of the year and will discuss what research areas will it pursue, commodities that are considered region 8’s priority expected to propel the much-needed development of the region.