DEPDev Central Visayas Region

𝐑𝐃𝐂 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐄𝐁𝐄𝐓) 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐈𝐈

During its second quarter meeting on May 21, 2026 in Cebu City, the Social Development Committee advocated for the adoption and implementation of Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) in private enterprises and companies in the region. The EBET refers to a technical-vocational education and training program delivered by an enterprise, including programs that are developed and recommended by recognized industry boards, which may be stand-alone or linked with technical-vocational institutions.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 12063, the EBET is introduced by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority as a strategic workforce development approach that embeds structured learning within actual enterprise operations. This approach ensures alignment with current and emerging industry requirements and strengthens workforce development, thereby improving employability and addressing job-skills mismatch.

Enterprises and companies implementing EBET programs shall enjoy a 150-175 percent deduction from taxable income based on actual training expenses, as well as tax exemptions for donations to TVIs implementing EBET programs.

Other matters discussed during the meeting were the call for the Department of Education 7 (DepEd) to hire qualified indigenous people (IP) teachers in the Eskaya indigenous cultural communities in Bohol; the Philippine Multisectoral Nutrition Project – Converging Nutrition Efforts for our Children’s Tomorrow of the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and National Nutrition Council; the DepEd’s Advancing Climate-Smart, Quality, Inclusive, and Resilient Education Project; and the proposed establishment of senior citizen’s caregiving facility/hospices in the country.

Chaired by Private Sector Representative Argeo Melisimo, the meeting brought together representatives from regional line agencies, local government units, and private sector representatives to discuss the above priority social development proposals in Central Visayas.

A Basic Archiving and Digitization Seminar-Workshop will be conducted at Tagbilaran City tomorrow, May 27 to May 28, 2026.

The final week of the National Heritage Month highlights the many ways heritage is carried forward through libraries, archives, public spaces, local traditions, and shared cultural experiences. From conversations on preserving documentary heritage to celebrations of dance, art, food, and local history, the month closes with communities continuing to learn from one another and take part in keeping heritage alive.

National Heritage Month reminds us that heritage is not only remembered. It is practiced, shared, and passed on together.

Come and visit the “Mugna sa Kamot” exhibit at the historic Fort San Pedro! The exhibit ends until June 30, 2026. This was organized by Cebu City Government, through the Cultural and Historical Affairs Office - Cebu City in celebration of the National Heritage Month.

🧵 The exhibit puts the spotlight on Cebu’s rich handweaving tradition, showcasing works crafted by Cebuanos from north to south. Using cotton and abaca, artisans transform natural fibers into stunning pieces—from clothing and hats to bags and the traditional banig.

🌿 Once a vibrant everyday practice, handweaving is now considered a fading tradition that continues to face the challenge of preservation. Through this exhibit, efforts are being made to help keep this cultural craft alive and passed on to future generations.

𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐏𝐌𝐂 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬

True to its mandate of strengthening accountability and ensuring the effective implementation of government projects, the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) in Central Visayas has approved the findings and recommendations of the Regional Project Monitoring Team (RPMT) following the series of project site inspections conducted by the team.

The RPMT’s findings were formally presented during the RPMC’s second quarter meeting held on May 13, 2026, at the RDC Conference Hall of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Regional Office VII in Cebu City. The presentation highlighted key observations and proposed actions to address project implementation issues.
A total of twelve development projects were inspected by the monitoring team, reflecting a diverse mix of infrastructure and social service initiatives. These included three resettlement projects intended to support communities in need of safe and sustainable housing, two farm-to-market road projects aimed at improving agricultural connectivity, and two projects under State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) that contribute to enhancing educational infrastructure.

In addition, the inspection covered one jail facility project designed to improve correctional services, as well as four fire station projects that reinforce disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities in the region.

The RPMC underscored that site inspections are strategically prioritized for projects experiencing or at risk of implementation challenges, particularly delays. This targeted monitoring approach allows for timely identification of issues and facilitates the formulation of responsive and practical interventions.

During the meeting, committee members emphasized the critical role of proactive monitoring, effective coordination among implementing agencies, and prompt corrective actions. These elements, they noted, are essential to ensuring that government projects are delivered efficiently, remain aligned with development objectives, and ultimately benefit communities across Central Visayas.

With the RPMC’s approval of the RPMT’s findings and recommendations, concerned agencies are expected to take the necessary steps to address identified concerns and sustain progress in project implementation—reinforcing the region’s commitment to transparent and results-oriented development governance.

𝘿𝙀𝙋𝘿𝙚𝙫 7 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 "𝙏𝙪𝙜𝙠𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙣 𝙆𝙤, 𝙏𝙖𝙢𝙣𝙖𝙣 𝙆𝙤" 𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚

In support of the "𝘛𝘶𝘨𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘒𝘰, 𝘛𝘢𝘮𝘯𝘢𝘯 𝘒𝘰" backyard gardening program of the government, DEPDev 7 employees and some of their family members joined the vegetable planting as one of the activities under the Wellness Wednesday Mental Health Program of DEPDev Region 7.

The backyard gardening is a program launched by Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Interior of Local Government (DILG) in urging families in Central Visayas to grow vegetables as a practical step toward food security. It is an initiative to expand food supply and empower communities to produce their own food.

DEPDev 7 also believes that the gardening is a good activity for mental wellness as it encourages mindfulness and emotional balance, strengthens connection with nature and with other colleagues, and enhances focus and patience.

The Office extends its gratitude to the Cebu City Agriculture Department for providing the vegetable seedlings for DEPDev's small backyard garden.

𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐃𝐞𝐯 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡!

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) joins the nation in observing Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Month this May 2026 in support of the continuing efforts to improve government service delivery under Republic Act No. 11032, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, which mandates the reduction of bureaucratic red tape through the streamlining of government processes.

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 818, s. 2025, declaring the month of May of every year as the National Ease of Doing Business Month, the observance serves as a platform to highlight government initiatives on regulatory reform, reduced transaction costs, and improved customer experience.

With this year’s theme, “𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 (𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐀): 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐬,” DEPDev reaffirms its commitment to responsive, efficient, and transparent public service.

For more information, visit Anti-Red Tape Authority’s official webpage: https://arta.gov.ph/eodbmonth/

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𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆, 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

The Department of Science and Technology Region 7 (DOST-7) hosted a meeting with key agencies to advance the implementation of Central Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) Resolution No. 21, s. 2026, which promotes the integration of permaculture into capability building and training programs.

The meeting brought together representatives from DEPDev-7, DOST-7, TESDA-7, and CHED-7 to discuss the proposed Permaculture MicroCredentials Framework, which aims to equip communities and future professionals with practical skills in food and water security, waste management, ecosystem restoration, and disaster resilience.

Permaculture is a nature-based approach that encourages people to work with nature instead of against it.

It promotes sustainable ways of growing food, managing water, restoring ecosystems, and building resilient communities that can better cope with climate change and disasters.

Under the collaboration, DOST-7 will promote applied research, innovation, and technology adoption related to permaculture and nature-based solutions.

TESDA-7 will assist in developing the proposed microcredential program focused on practical and community-based skills, while CHED-7 will support curriculum integration in higher education institutions.

DEPDev-7, meanwhile, will help strengthen policy support, coordination, and monitoring of the initiative’s implementation across the region.
The initiative supports regional efforts to strengthen ecosystem regeneration, climate adaptation, and community resilience in Central Visayas.