08/09/2026
𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐑𝐃𝐂-𝐂𝐀𝐑 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲
BAGUIO CITY – The Regional Social Development Committee (RSDC) of the Regional Development Council-Cordillera Administrative Region (RDC-CAR) endorsed seven resolutions for subsequent approval by the RDC, during its Third Quarter meeting held on September 3, advancing key initiatives in public health, social welfare, and child protection across the region.
Five of the resolutions focused on health and originated from the Regional Implementation and Coordination Team (RICT)-CAR, chaired by Department of Health-CAR Regional Director Dr. Amelita M. Pangilinan. These resolutions seek to strengthen implementation of health and population programs through evidence-based policies, coordinated interventions, and stronger institutional mechanisms.
Among the health measures endorsed was a call for local government units (LGUs) and health sector partners to adopt policy recommendations arising from the findings of the 2025 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). The recommendations aim to improve health outcomes and address emerging demographic and social development concerns in the Cordillera such as declining fertility, population aging risks, adolescent pregnancy, unmet family planning needs, maternal and child health disparities, spousal violence against women, multidimensional child vulnerabilities, regional inequalities in education and wealth, and the need to maximize the demographic dividend while promoting demographic resilience.
The RSDC also endorsed measures to further strengthen the Family Welfare Program and establish Local Implementing Teams on Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (LIT-RPRH) in LGUs. The initiatives seek to enhance the coordinated delivery of reproductive health services and promote family well-being at the community level. Complementing these efforts is a resolution directing the establishment and implementation of RPRH implementing teams in LGUS pursuant to DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2020-132.
In support of the region's response to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the RSDC likewise endorsed the creation of the Cordillera Regional AIDS and STI Council (CRASC). The proposed body is expected to improve coordination among government agencies, LGUs, civil society organizations, and other health stakeholders in addressing HIV and STI concerns in the region.
Another resolution seeks to promote preventive healthcare among government employees by encouraging annual physical examinations and increasing enrollment with accredited primary health care providers, consistent with efforts to strengthen health promotion and early disease detection.
On social protection, the Regional Committee Against Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Their Children (RCAT-VAWC) and the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Committee (RJJWC) jointly proposed expanding the coverage of specialized social welfare interventions beyond children at risk (CAR) and children in conflict with the law (CICL). The proposed expansion includes gender-based violence (GBV) victim-survivors, children in need of special protection (CNSP), survivors of trafficking in persons, victims of online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC) and cases involving child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM), as well as other vulnerable individuals requiring social welfare services.
The resolution seeks to institutionalize an updated social worker-to-client ratio of one social worker for every 20 beneficiaries handling special protection cases, consistent with the standards prescribed under DSWD Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2024, or the Omnibus Guidelines on the Regulation of Social Welfare and Development Agencies and Their Programs and Services.
Finally, the RSDC endorsed key social investment programs and projects for consideration in the Fourth Regional-National Investment Programming (RNIP) Dialogue. These include three projects under DSWD-CAR: the Phase 2 of the Bahay Pag-asa of PLGU Mountain Province; RRCY Center Rehabilitation and Improvement of Facilities; and the construction of DSWD-CAR Satellite Warehouse in Conner, Apayao.
Five health projects under DOH-CAR were likewise endorsed, including the completion of the Super Health Centers in Kabugao and Besao; the completion of the Kalinga Provincial Hospital and San Isidro Rural Health Unit; and the construction of the Buguias Super Health Center. Alongside priority proposals from other sectors, these projects will undergo final RDC endorsement before their presentation at the national dialogue scheduled on September 24, 2026.
During the meeting also, Department of Education-CAR Regional Director Nicolas T. Capulong briefed the committee members on the implementation of the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment.
Director Capulong's presentation highlighted recent national directives emphasizing school safety following incidents that exposed vulnerabilities in learning environments across the country. As part of the government's response, Regional Development Councils are being encouraged to integrate school safety concerns into regional development planning and strengthen inter-agency coordination mechanisms to ensure the protection and well-being of learners.
As the committee advances these key policy measures for RDC approval on September 10, 2026, it reaffirms the region’s collective commitment to building a healthier, safer, and more inclusive Cordillera. Through strengthened governance, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, and sustained investments in human development, these initiatives seek to ensure that the well-being, protection, and empowerment of every Cordilleran remain at the heart of regional development efforts.
The RSDC is chaired by DSWD OIC Regional Director Enrique H. Gascon, Jr., and is co-chaired by PSR Arnel M. Cabanisas. DEPDev-CAR Regional Director Apollo Edwin S. Pagano serves as the Vice-Chair.
𝐵𝑦 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑎 𝐷. 𝐿𝑢𝑐𝑎𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑡𝑒 𝑅. 𝐵𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑘𝑖, 𝐷𝑅𝐷-𝐶𝐴𝑅
