85 OG No. 44, 6801 (October 30, 1989)
"SECTION 3. Regional Development Assembly. There is hereby created in every region of the country a Regional Development Assembly, hereinafter referred to as the RDA, whose composition, functions, and operations are as follows:SECTION 2. The RDC shall prepare and recommend, not later than 30 March of each year, the subregional and/or project category apportionments of the regional block allocations or budgetary ceilings for infrastructure projects for the following year. It shall also prepare and recommend, not later, than 30 June of each year, the lists and schedules of infrastructure projects to be undertaken in the following year within the set ceilings. The RDC shall submit the programs endorsed by the RDA to the Committee on Infrastructure of the National Economic and Development Authority Board, through the infrastructure departments concerned and copy furnished the Department of Budget and Management, for inclusion in the national infrastructure programs and budgets to be submitted to the Congress for appropriation of funds. The preparation of the infrastructure program shall be guided by the consensus reached in the RDA, and take into account the proposals and recommendations of the RDA participants.
- Composition. The RDA shall be composed of (i) all Provincial Governors and City Mayors in the region; (ii) all Congressmen from the region and Senators who opt to join the particular RDA when so authorized by their respective Chambers; (iii) the Chairman of the Regional Development Council of the region, hereinafter referred to as the RDC; and (iv) two RDC member-representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations to be nominated by the RDC. The RDA shall be headed by a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman to be elected by and from among the members. The RDC Secretariat shall also serve as the RDA Secretariat.
- Functions. The RDA shall serve as a forum for the review and validation of the annual and multi-year infrastructure programs for the region which require appropriation of national government funds, as recommended by the RDC. Based on a consensus, the RDA shall endorse these regional programs for inclusion in the national infrastructure programs and budgets to be submitted to the Congress for appropriation of funds.
- Sessions. The RDA shall hold at least two sessions each year to deliberate on the infrastructure program for the following year. The first session shall be held not later than 15 April of the year to review, validate, and endorse the RDC-recommended apportionment of the regional block allocations or budgetary ceilings for the following across subregional units and /or project categories. The second session shall be held not later than 15 July of the year to review, validate, and endorse the RDC-recommended list of projects to be undertaken in the following year, together with their respective implementation and funding schedules, within the set ceilings. The RDA may hold additional sessions as it deems necessary to discuss the annual and multi-year infrastructure programs requiring appropriation of national government funds.
- Hearings and Consultations. The RDA shall hold extensive public hearings and consultations before its sessions in order to coordinate the various concerns and build up consensus on program and project priorities.
- Proceedings. The Regional Director of the infrastructure agency concerned shall make the technical presentation to the RDA of the infrastructure program allocations and project lists and schedules, recommended by the RDC. During the RDA sessions, maximum participation of the members of the ROC shall be encouraged. All the RDA sessions shall be held in public."