Governor Davide, Cobonpue among nominees for RDC chair, co-chair

THE Regional Development Council in Central Visayas (RDC-7) nominated six of its members for possible appointment by President Rodrigo Duterte as chairman and co-chairman of the council.

During their full council meeting yesterday, the members nominated three from the government sector and another three from the private sector.

The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) will then endorse the nomination to the president.

Included in the nomination were Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III, Siquijor Governor Zaldy Villa and Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto in the government sector; and Cebuano businessmen Kenneth Cobonpue and William Liu Jr., and Argeo Melissimo, a Boholano, from the private sector.

RDC 7 is composed of local government units, regional agencies, non-government organizations and private sectors tasked to help in the development of the region.

During the meeting, Emmanuel Rabacal, RDC Infrastructure Development Committee chair, suggested that the council should not hold election since the president will be appointing the chair and co-chairman.

“(In the rules) RDC shall select and submit to the office of the president at least four nominees, two from the government sector and two from the private sector. It could be two or it could be 20 but not less than two. I just want to be clear about it,” he said.

Rabacal questioned the purpose of holding the election when those elected would not be appointed by President Duterte.

But Neda 7 chief Efren Carreon said the council was just following the guidelines in nomination and election for the chairman and co-chairman for the council.

“(But) we can do away with it if the full council would agree. We are just presenting the guidelines of the council,” Carreon said.

The RDC-7 will have their full meeting on September 23 and hopefully, by that time, they have already chairman who will preside.