The national government seeks to build a closer relationship with local government units through the regional development councils.

National and Development Authority Asec. Greg Pineda clarified on Wednesday, May 3, that the 17 regional development councils (RDCs) nationwide have a different mandate than the local government units.

Pineda described RDCs as the policy-making body for the development of the region.

"Ang RDCs ay parang kinatawan din ng President sa local level. Ito actually ang connection ng national government sa local government units," Pineda said during DILG sa DZRH Breaktime.

Pineda said that the members of RDC compose of provincial governors, city mayors, heads of regional line agencies, and representatives from non-government organizations.

"25 percent of niyan ay galing sa non-government organizations," Pineda explained.

As per Executive Order No. 325, RDCs have the following functions:

• Coordinate the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of short and long-term regional development plans and investment programs, regional physical framework plan,s and special development plans, including the formulation of policy recommendations;
• Integrate approved development plans of provinces and cities, line agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, and special development authorities in the region into the regional development plan;
• Review, prioritize, and endorse to the national government the annual and multi-year sectoral investment programs of the region for funding and implementation;
• Review and endorse to the national government the annual budgets of agency regional offices, state colleges and universities, and special development authorities;
• Promote and direct the inflow and allocation of private investments in the region to support regional development objectives, policies and strategies;
• Review and endorse national plans, programs and projects proposed for implementation in the regions;
• As required by the Investment Coordinating Committee (ICC), review and endorse projects of national government agencies that have an impact on the region and projects of LGUs in the region requiring national government financial exposure which may come in the form of guarantees, national government budget appropriations or subsidies, among others;
• Initiate and coordinate the development, funding and implementation of regional and special development projects such as those involving several agencies or LGUs;
• Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of development projects undertaken by government agencies, local government units, state colleges and universities, government-owned and/or -controlled corporations and special development authorities in the region; and
• Perform other related functions and activities as necessary to promote and sustain the socio-economic development of the regions.