JUNE 30, 2026
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Regional Development Council of Northern Mindanao (RDC-X) has identified a set of Strategic, Impactful, and Legacy-Building Initiatives (SILI) to guide the region’s next phase of development, with major investments planned for transportation, healthcare, digital connectivity and other critical infrastructure.
RDC-X Chairperson and Misamis Occidental Governor Henry S. Oaminal presented the initiatives during his first 2026 State of the Region Address, delivered at the 145th RDC-X Full Council Meeting at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan de Oro City.
The gathering brought together governors, mayors, regional directors, national government officials, private sector representatives, development partners and other stakeholders from across Northern Mindanao.
Mindanao Development Authority Secretary Leo Tereso Magno and Special Adviser to the President Secretary Antonio Ernesto “Anton” F. Lagdameo Jr. also attended the event.
Oaminal said the SILI initiatives are anchored on the Mas Asenso Northern Mindanao agenda and are intended to build on the region’s development gains while addressing long-term infrastructure and service needs.
Among the initiatives identified are major airport and seaport developments, high-standard highways, railway and mass transport systems, government centers, health and wellness facilities, and expanded digital connectivity.
Oaminal said the investments are intended to create lasting benefits for communities across Northern Mindanao rather than focus solely on short-term economic gains.
The Mas Asenso Northern Mindanao agenda traces its roots to the Asenso Misamis Occidental governance model that Oaminal introduced after assuming office as governor of the province. He said the experience in Misamis Occidental demonstrated how people-centered governance, strategic investments and partnerships can translate into improvements in the lives of residents.
He said the regional agenda would similarly measure development not only through economic growth but also through the opportunities created, lives improved and long-term future built for Northern Mindanaoans.
The RDC-X meeting also marked the regional rollout of the One Family, One Professional (OFOP) Program, expanding the scholarship initiative beyond Misamis Occidental.
An initial group of scholars from Northern Mindanao’s five provinces and two highly urbanized cities received their first P10,000 educational assistance as part of the P25,000 assistance allocated per semester to help cover school-related expenses.
Lagdameo pledged an additional P10,000 for each scholar for the same semester, providing further assistance to the beneficiaries.
The gathering also recognized Northern Mindanaoans who have excelled in various fields, including athletes who won medals during the recent Palarong Pambansa. Oaminal likewise fulfilled his earlier commitment to provide cash incentives to the region’s Palarong Pambansa medalists.
For Lagdameo, the developments highlighted during the RDC-X meeting underscored the importance of regional development councils in coordinating government efforts and advancing inclusive development.
He emphasized that RDCs serve as a mechanism for bringing together different sectors and aligning development priorities across regions.
The SILI initiatives, together with the expansion of OFOP and recognition of regional achievers, form part of RDC-X’s broader effort to translate regional development plans into programs and investments that directly benefit communities.
As Northern Mindanao moves into its next development phase, the council aims to use the Mas Asenso framework to coordinate investments and partnerships that can strengthen connectivity, public services, economic opportunities and the overall quality of life across the region.
