CAGAYAN de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is pushing for a joint regional development council meeting to boost Mindanao’s budget allocation and accelerate vital infrastructure projects.
Rodriguez proposed that all six Mindanao regions gather for a joint Regional Development Council (RDC) meeting, to be hosted by the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) in Davao City.
The primary goal is to increase Mindanao’s share of the national budget from 14% in 2025 to 20% in 2026. This aims to address what Rodriguez sees as inequities in budget distribution, despite the island’s significant economic contributions.
He also garnered support for House Bill 10506, or the Bagong Pilipinas Highway Act. This bill proposes two long-span bridges: one connecting Matnog, Sorsogon, to Allen, Northern Samar, and another linking San Ricardo, Southern Leyte, to Lipata, Surigao del Norte.
Rodriguez urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to fund feasibility studies for these projects, highlighting their potential to cut transportation costs and enhance inter-island connectivity.
Additionally, Rodriguez emphasized the full implementation of Executive Order 82, which mandates government agencies to prioritize programs endorsed by RDCs.
He plans to meet with Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan to request P500 million for the feasibility studies of the proposed bridges.
The meeting was presided over by RDC-10 Chairperson and Lanao del Norte Rep. Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo, marking her final session as chair. Attendees included Gingoog City Mayor Erick Cañosa, RDC-10 Vice Chair Mylah Faye Carilño, along with various regional officials and sectoral representatives.
