Regional Social Development Committee - RSDC XII

09/03/2026

RSDC XII endorses DepEd’s project ACQUIRE, expresses support for House Bill No. 883

The Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) XII of the Regional Development Council (RDC) XII has formally endorsed the Department of Education’s (DepED) Project Advancing Climate-Smart, Quality, Inclusive, and Resilient Education (ACQUIRE) and expressed its support for House Bill No. 883 during its CY 2026 First Quarter Regular Meeting held in the City of Koronadal.

Project ACQUIRE aims to transform the country’s secondary education system by transforming Science High Schools and Senior High School (SHS) Technical and Vocational Institutions (TVIs) into climate-resilient, digitally enabled, and industry-aligned STEM hubs. The initiative seeks to enhance schools’ preparedness for climate-related risks while providing learners with modern, future-ready learning environments.

RSDC XII likewise conveyed its support for House Bill No. 883, which seeks to convert South Cotabato State College (SCSC) into a state university. The proposed measure is expected to expand access to quality, affordable, and inclusive higher education across SOCCSKSARGEN, enabling more learners to benefit from enhanced academic programs and institutional capabilities.

The meeting was presided over by RSDC XII Chairperson Carlito Y. Uy, Private Sector Representative for the Social Sector, and attended by heads of offices and representatives from regional line agencies, academic institutions, the private sector, and local government units. The gathering reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to strengthening multi-sector collaboration for priority social sector programs and initiatives.

Updates from the Committee and its Sub-Committees underscored the need for sustained and coordinated action to address key social development concerns, including malnutrition, public and mental health, culture and the arts, youth volunteerism, housing, and equitable access to quality education.

Representatives from the DepED Central Office also presented updates on major initiatives, including the Project Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization (PLUS-D) and the Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools (ISRS) Project.

The meeting further featured the presentation of the Committee’s CY 2025 accomplishments, its CY 2026 Work Program and priorities, and the CY 2025 Regional Development Report (RDR) for Social Sector Agencies. Committee members who achieved a 100 percent attendance rate in CY 2025 were also recognized for their exemplary commitment and service. (Angelique B. Beljot, DEPDev XII-DRD)

21/01/2026

LOOK | RDC-12 urges gov’t offices to enroll non-regular personnel in social protection programs

The Regional Development Council (RDC-12) of SOCCSKSARGEN has called for the enrollment and premium payment of contributions to government-run social insurance programs for contract of service (COS) and job order (JO) employees.

19/11/2025

RSDC XII reinforces commitments to health, social protection, migrant services during its 4th quarter/reorganizational meeting

10/11/2025

RSDC XII reorganizes, elects Uy and Tan for term 2025–2028

The Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) of the Regional Development Council (RDC) XII elected Carlito Y. Uy, Private Sector Representative for the Social Sector, as its Chairperson, and Regional Director Aristides Concepcion Tan of the Department of Health (DOH) XII as Co-Chairperson for term 2025–2028.

The election took place on November 5, 2025, at Mindanao State University–General Santos City, during the Fourth Quarter Regular cm Reorganizational Meeting of RSDC XII themed, Strengthening inclusive services for advancing health, social protection, and migrant support.

The Committee’s reorganization complies with Republic Act (RA) No. 12145, also known as the Economy, Planning, and Development Act, and Executive Order No. 82, series of 2025 (Strengthening the RDCs).

The newly reorganized RSDC XII now includes: 16 regional line agencies (RLAs) that belong to the social sector; Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA); 5 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs); 7 Private Sector Representatives (PSRs). The composition for the term 2025-2025 was approved through RSDC XII Resolution No. 58, series of 2025.

Additionally, the Committee passed RSDC XII Resolution No. 59, series of 2025, endorsing the National Housing Authority (NHA) XII and SOCOTECO-1 Foundation, Inc. as Special Non-Voting Members (SNVMs) to the RDC XII.
The meeting was graciously hosted by Mindanao State University–General Santos City, under the leadership of Chancellor Shidik T. Abantas, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the academic institutions in the development of SOCCSKSARGEN. (Apollo Y. Manlawe, DEPDev XII-DRD)

21/10/2025

Congratulations, Gov. Emmylou J. Taliño-Mendoza, MNSA!

The Council would like to congratulate Hon. Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza, MNSA, Governor of Cotabato Province, on her appointment as Chairperson of the Regional Development Council XII for the 2025–2028 term. We eagerly anticipate your continued progressive, vibrant, and innovative leadership, and we look forward to the milestones your tenure will bring for the Council and the entire SOCCSKSARGEN Region. Emmylou Lala Taliño-Mendoza

RISE SOCCSKSARGEN!

07/08/2025

𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘! 𝗦𝗮 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟰 𝗻𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗯-𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Join us as we celebrate Mindanao creativity and ingenuity. Panuorin ang ating sampung Filipinnovators dito sa Filipinnovation page sa susunod na linggo.

Sama-sama tayong magtaguyod ng Filipinnovation!

03/06/2025

21/05/2025

EYES HERE |

RSDC XII pushes for inclusive education reforms through DepED PLUS-D and Sarangani State College

The Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) XII reaffirmed its commitment to advancing inclusive and transformative education in SOCCSKSARGEN through the endorsement of two major initiatives: the Department of Education’s Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization (PLUS-D) and the establishment of Sarangani State College (SSC) during its Second Quarter Meeting on May 15, 2025.

Assistant Regional Director Kathleen Lotilla of DepED XII presented the key features of PLUS-D, a nationwide reform initiative aimed at addressing learning poverty by improving foundational literacy and numeracy among K to 10 learners.

PLUS-D, co-financed by the World Bank, supports learning recovery programs, professional development for ALS and junior high school teachers, enhanced assessment systems, and the creation of gender-responsive, inclusive, and climate-resilient learning environments.

With 91 percent of Filipino 10-year-olds unable to read and comprehend age-appropriate text, the project responds to urgent calls for decentralized, context-based education solutions—especially in historically underperforming and underserved regions like Region XII.

In the same meeting, Ms. Jelyn Apura, Assistant Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) of the Provincial Government of Sarangani, presented Provincial Development Council (PDC) Resolution No. 24, seriesof 2024, favorably endorsing the establishment of Sarangani State College (SSC). The resolution, which was endorsed by PDC Sarangani for Regional Development Council (RDC) XII’s endorsement, seeks national and regional favorable support for the establishment of SCC and provision of corresponding funding support thereof to expand tertiary education access in the province.

Currently, Sarangani has no state-run higher education institution, despite persistent gaps in social development and high rates of out-of-school youth. SSC is also supported by the current Congress, through House Bill (hb) No. 10622, which is currently pending in the Senate, after its third reading in the House of Representatives.

The endorsement of PLUS-D and SSC underscores RSDC XII’s continuing role in shaping responsive, inclusive, and sustainable development outcomes in Region XII through education as contained in the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023-2028. (Melissa Gabrielle H. Vargas, DEPDev XII-DRD)

20/05/2025

LOOK |

RSDC XII endorses DSWD’s REFUEL project to scale up Walang Gutom in Region XII

The Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) XII endorsed the Reducing Food Insecurity and Undernutrition with Electronic Voucher (REFUEL) Project to scale up the implementation of the Walang Gutom Program (WGP) in the region, during its second quarter meeting held on May 15, 2025, at Greenstate Suites, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato.

The committee, chaired by Private Sector Representative Carlito Y. Uy, found the project supportive of the objectives of the SOCCSKSARGEN Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023-2028. Also, the proposed project is expected to contribute to the attainment of the regional social protection goals, as well as complement existing efforts under the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 and the regional commitment to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger.

The REFUEL project primarily aims to support the Government of the Philippines in reducing food insecurity and hunger among vulnerable and low-income households by improving access to affordable, accessible, and nutritious food. It will build on the results and lessons learned from the six-month pilot implementation of the WGP, which concluded in June 2024.

Mr. Lemuel Neil J. Abliter, from the National Program Management Office of the Walang Gutom Program based at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office, emphasized the importance of sustaining and expanding these initiatives in the region.

The project will be implemented in 11 regions and 25 provinces (including Cotabato Province of Region XII) which were selected based on the criteria and processes set by DSWD and shall be covering a total of 750,000 household beneficiaries.

The REFUEL is designed to enhance the efficiency and impact of food aid delivery. It leverages electronic food vouchers to streamline the distribution of nutritional assistance—promoting transparency and efficiency while ensuring that food-insecure households receive timely support. This innovation also aligns with the national agenda on digital transformation and the enhancement of social protection systems.

Updates on the expansion of two key programs under the— Bangsamoro Umpungan sa Nutrisyon (BangUN) Program were also presented during the Committee meeting. The program, along with the other related programs of DSWD are designed to combat hunger and malnutrition, particularly in vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Members of RSDC XII expressed their support to the aforementioned programs of the agency on mitigating hunger and malnutrition, but urged it to consider the recommendations raised by the Committee —for the expansion and regional rollout of these DSWD programs, acknowledging their crucial role in mitigating hunger, improving health outcomes, and strengthening the region’s social protection landscape.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment among regional stakeholders to prioritize evidence-based, innovative, and community-driven solutions to address food and nutrition challenges in SOCCSKSARGEN.

The second quarter meeting of RSDC XII, which was co-hosted by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) XII and the National Housing Authority (NHA) XII, revolved around the theme: Building inclusive, resilient, and well-planned communities: Advancing housing and human settlements for regional development.

14/02/2025

EYES HERE |

RSDC XII advocates Filipino Sign Language implementation in government offices

The Regional Social Development Committee XII, during its First Quarter Regular Meeting on February 12, 2025 in Koronadal City, advocated for the adoption of Filipino Sign Language (FSL) as the official sign language to be used by government offices and institutions when dealing and/or interacting with the deaf community, while respecting individual preferences.

In the said meeting, the RSDC XII Secretariat reported on the conduct of FSL Webinar, which was initiated by the Committee, held on December 18, 2024, via Zoom and Facebook Livestream.

During the webinar, a significant issue was identified regarding the limited compliance with Republic Act 11106, An Act Declaring the Filipino Sign Language as the National Language of the Filipino Deaf and the Official Sign Language of Government in All Transactions Involving the Deaf, and Mandating Its Use in Schools, Broadcast Media, and Workplaces.
Currently, there are very few government offices that have adopted FSL or established FSL units to handle concerns of the Deaf community.

In support of the implementation of RA 11106 and to encourage wider adoption of the FSL, particularly in government offices and institutions, RSDC XII passed Resolution No. 03, series of 2025, Enjoining all National Government Agencies, Local Government Units, the Judiciary, State Universities and Colleges, Higher Educational Institutions, and Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations as an official language in all transactions involving the Deaf and to Establish their respective FSL units.

The second related resolution that the Committee passed was Resolution No. 04, Enjoining Regional Line Agencies, LGUs, SUCs, HEIs, and GOCCs in Region XII to include an interpreter insets in audio-visual presentations, TV or online programs, and provide interpreters in activities involving Deaf participants.

The resolutions will be presented to the Regional Development Council XII during its first quarter meeting for the year, for consideration and support. (Michael BJ S. Abellana, NEDA XII-DRD)

11/02/2025