PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed Gov. Aris Aumentado and Kenneth Chen Cobonpue as chairman and co-chair representing the private sector, respectively, of the Regional Development Council (RDC).
In his letter dated October 19, 2022 to director-general Arsenio Balisacan of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the President informed the former on the said appointment.
As chair, Aumentado “shall serve for a term of three years which shall coincide with his regular term as local chief executive,” and Cobonpue, “who come from private sector, shall be co-terminus with his term as private sector representative” the president said.
Aris’s appointment as RDC 7 chair is transmitted to Balisacan in a letter sent by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
Gov. Aris Aumentado is required to submit to Civil Service Commission clearances from CSC, Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan, according to the letter from Dolores J. Molintas, officer-in-charge, NEDA region 7 and acting RDC vice-chairperson.
Gov. Aris C. Aumentado is following the footsteps of his father, then Gov. Erico Boyles Aumentado, who was then the RDC 7 chairman.
“RDC officials for Central Visayas will ensure that programs, projects, and activities implemented in the next three years would lead to the continued socioeconomic development of the region,” NEDA said.
Earlier, Aumentado and Negros Oriental Gov. Pryde Henry Teves, and private sector representatives (PSRs) Argeo Melisimo of Bohol and Kenneth Cobonpue of Cebu were nominated and endorsed as chairperson and co-chairperson, NEDA said. But Teves reportedly backed out for unknown reasons.
Kenneth Cobonpue of Cebu represents the Infrastructure Development Committee of the council.
NEDA said that RDC 7 selected their officers during a special meeting of the RDC Full Council held on 22 August 2022 in Cebu City. They took their oath of office before Usec. Carlos Bernardo Abad-Santos of the NEDA Regional Development Group. (rvo)
