SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (May 25, 2026) – In a decisive move to accelerate the region’s growth, the Regional Development Council III (RDC III) convened an executive meeting to discuss priority infrastructure projects and solidify development strategies for Central Luzon.
The gathering, held in the City of San Fernando, brought together the region’s top provincial executives to ensure a unified approach to progress.
The council placed a significant focus on resolving the status of “For Later Release” (FLR) projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 3. These projects, funded under the Fiscal Year 2026 General Appropriations Act, are currently categorized as “For Issuance of Special Allotment Release Order” (FISARO), requiring additional validation before funds can be accessed.
The meeting served as a critical platform to harmonize the region’s priorities and facilitate necessary coordination.
Tarlac Governor Christian Yap emphasized the meeting’s collaborative purpose, stating, “Nakiisa po tayo sa Executive Meeting ng RDC III upang talakayin ang mahahalagang proyekto at programang magpapalakas sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng Central Luzon.”
He added, “Patuloy tayong makikipagtulungan sa iba’t ibang ahensya upang maisulong ang mga programang tunay na makikinabang ang ating mga kababayan.“
The meeting in San Fernando was a display of united leadership, with RDC Chair and Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. presiding over the discussions. He was joined by a strong contingent of provincial leaders, including Governors Nanay Pineda and Vice Governor Delta Pineda of Pampanga, alongside Governors Daniel Fernando of Bulacan, Joet Garcia of Bataan, and Aurelio Umali of Nueva Ecija.
The technical aspects of project implementation were reinforced by the presence of key regional directors, including DBM RD Ning Abesamis, DPWH RD Arnold Ocampo, and DEPDev RD Nerrisa Esguerra, ensuring that the necessary bureaucratic and developmental frameworks are aligned with the provinces’ goals .
Key infrastructure priorities under the RDC III’s purview focus on enhancing the region’s resilience and connectivity. Discussions touched upon major initiatives such as the Pampanga River Basin Flood Control Master Plan and the Manila Bay Integrated Flood Control and Coastal Defense project, which aim to address perennial flooding issues, alongside transport infrastructure like the Lazatin Flyover Project to decongest traffic.
Governor Yap and the rest of the council concluded the meeting with a unified commitment to continue fostering the partnerships necessary to turn these plans into reality, ensuring that the “Sama-samang Pagkilos para sa Pag-unlad ng Gitnang Luzon” (United Action for the Development of Central Luzon) remains the driving force behind the region’s progress.
