BAGUIO CITY — Members of the Regional Development Council (RDC) Cordillera have approved the creation of a Regional Steering Committee and a Regional Steering Committee–Technical Working Group to oversee the implementation of a community resilience project in the region.

The bodies were established through Resolution No. 67, Series of 2026, during a recent policy meeting. The two groups will provide policy guidance, inter-agency coordination, and technical support for the implementation of Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project.

Panahon ng Pagkilos is a new initiative under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan–Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services program. It focuses on community-driven development to help vulnerable communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and climate change. The project also aims to expand community access to climate-resilient and disaster-responsive investments.

The Regional Steering Committee will be chaired by the regional director of DSWD-Cordillera, with the regional director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Cordillera serving as co-chairperson. Members will include assistant regional directors and senior officials from the departments of environment, health, agriculture, economy, finance, science, civil defense, the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and various civil society organizations.

Representatives from the departments of education, agrarian reform, budget and management, public works, as well as the Commission on Audit and peace-related agencies, will serve as ex-officio members.

The technical working group will consist of technical representatives from agencies involved in social welfare, local government, anti-poverty programs, indigenous peoples’ affairs, environment, and agriculture. To ensure efficient decision-making, the resolution requires members of the group to hold at least a division chief position or its equivalent. The DSWD Field Office-Cordillera will lead the group and serve as its secretariat.

The Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) earlier endorsed the creation of the two bodies through Resolution No. 3, Series of 2026, during its second-quarter meeting on May 19, 2026, before elevating the matter to the RDC.

Project implementation is now underway across the Cordillera region. Following the completion of municipal orientations, barangay assemblies are being conducted in 135 target villages in the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, and Mountain Province.