LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) - The Regional Development Council in Bicol (RDC-5) has nominated three of its members for possible appointment by President Rodrigo Duterte as chairperson and co-chairperson of the council.

During their full council meeting last Friday, September 6, the members nominated Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal from the government sector and Nicolas Beda A. Priela Jr. and Engineer Benigno R. Elevado from the private sector.

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

Under Executive Order 325, the President selects and appoints the RDC chairperson and co-chairperson.

In the event that the President appoints a chairperson from the government sector, the co-chairperson shall be selected from the private sector, and vice versa. Only the governors and the mayors can be nominated from the government sector.

Albay Governor Francis Bichara ended his term as RDC chairperson this year, prompting the nomination held on September 6, 2019 at the National Economic Development Authority Regional Office 5 in Legazpi City.

The terms of office of the chairperson and co-chairperson coincide with the regular term of local elective officials that is a period of three years. This prescribed term of office is without prejudice to reappointment.

The appointed chairperson and co-chairperson will head the RDC with Neda's regional director as ex-officio vice chairperson and NEDA assistant regional director as ex-officio secretary.

RDC, the highest policy-making body in the region, serves as the counterpart of the Neda board at the subnational level. It is also the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social developments in the region. (PIA-5)