PIA Press Release
Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Davao mayor is new RDC XI chair

"The appointment of Mayor Duterte as RDC XI Chair, along with Mr. Lao as Co-chair is a welcome development for Davao Region," RDC XI Vice Chair and NEDA XI Director Maria Lourdes D. Lim said as she announced the President's new appointments. "We are pleased to have a strong, dynamic team to jointly lead the Council for the next three years."

The RDC is the highest policy-making body in the region and the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region. As head of the Council, Mayor Duterte shall direct the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive regional development plan and investment program; review, revise and approve policy recommendations, plans and programs; supervise the monitoring of major inter-provincial and region-wide development activities; and represent the region in Cabinet meetings and other activities at the national and sub-national levels.

The President has selected Mayor Duterte from the government sector, while Mr. Lao comes from the private sector. Mayor Duterte is the first lady RDC XI Chair, as well as the first to be appointed from the government sector since the establishment of the RDC XI in 1986. Its past Chairpersons, Atty. Jesus V. Ayala (who served for 20 years) and Mr. Lao, were from the private sector.

Mayor Duterte is a lawyer by profession and senior partner of the Carpio-Duterte Law Office. She served as Davao City's Vice Mayor for the term 2007-2010. Mr. Lao, on the other hand, has an Electrical Engineering degree and Masters in Entrepreneurship. He is currently the Chairperson of the Mindanao Business Council, a Philippine Country Representative to the BIMP-EAGA Business Council and member of the Board of Trustees of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (NEDA)