The Regional Development Council (RDC) in CALABARZON has endorsed P280.05 billion worth of proposed programs for fiscal year 2027, underscoring the region’s push to secure funding for infrastructure, education, health and other priority sectors.

During its first quarter full council meeting on 26 February, the RDC approved budget proposals covering 25 government agencies and five state universities and colleges.

Of the total proposed amount, P260.12 billion is allocated for national government agencies, while P19.93 billion is earmarked for state universities and colleges.

RDC Co-Chairperson and private sector representative Richard Albert I. Osmond described the council as the “region’s development steward and advocate,” stressing its role in ensuring that projects are implementation-ready and aligned with long-term regional goals.

He called for active participation from local chief executives and regional agency heads to strengthen CALABARZON’s position during national budget deliberations.

Osmond also urged agencies to be prudent in crafting proposals, noting that public funds are finite and often supported by government borrowings. He emphasized the need for realistic and implementable programs that can produce measurable results.

Infrastructure, health, education among top priorities

Among the largest proposed allocations are for the Department of Public Works and Highways for major infrastructure projects, the Department of Education for human capital development, the Department of Health for expanded health services, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development for social protection initiatives.

Agriculture and irrigation programs under the Department of Agriculture and the National Irrigation Administration are also included to boost food security and climate resilience.

Priority infrastructure projects cited include upgrades to the Pan-Philippine Highway, the ROMA Point Bridge and the Macalelon Small Reservoir Irrigation Project.

The council also endorsed funding for information and communications technology and science initiatives such as Free WiFi for All and the DOST CALABARZON Digital Transformation Initiative.

In education, proposed funds will support the construction, repair and rehabilitation of school buildings and health facilities.

Health and social protection initiatives include the establishment of one dialysis center and one cancer access site in each province, additional barangay health stations, and continued implementation of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) and the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons.

Agriculture proposals cover the creation of a Cavite Agricultural Trading Center, solar-powered irrigation systems in urban and peri-urban areas, and a Digital Agriculture Project.

Environmental programs include the construction of lookout towers within the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape and storage facilities for confiscated forest products. A Regional Cyber Security Operations Center is likewise proposed to strengthen peace and order.

The RDC said the endorsed proposals are aligned with AmBisyon Natin 2040, the administration’s 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the CALABARZON Regional Development Plan 2023–2028 Midterm Update.

With the endorsement secured, the council expressed optimism that the proposals will be reviewed by agency central offices, incorporated into the National Expenditure Program and eventually funded under the 2027 General Appropriations Act.