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The Municipality of Ronda is taking a step further in its effort to support the implementation of the Integrated Area Development Program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI-IAD) in the seventh district of Cebu.

Last Feb. 13-14, 2018, more than 40 participants attended the IAD Team Formation and Action Planning held at the town’s multi-purpose hall. The activity was supported by the Cebu Provincial Government through the Provincial Planning and Development Office.

The activity sought to help build the capacity of the focal team in preparation for subsequent activities of the IAD program, which aims to create a development plan and vision for the seventh congressional district.

As a result of the two-day activity, the IAD Focal Team presented their plans, most of which were aligned to the IAD Program activities. These include conducting regular meetings, identifying and conducting an inventory of the assets of the local government unit (LGU), and conducting a baseline survey.

Mayor Mariano “Nonie” Blanco III, through an ordinance, created the local IAD Focal Team to oversee, harmonize, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the IAD program and designate the program coordinator/point person.

“I’m grateful that this training was finally conducted here in our municipality. It is important that the focal team who will be involved in this program should do their role,” Blanco said.

Members of Ronda’s IAD Focal team are department heads, and representatives from a people’s organization, a civic group, and the academe identified the by LGU. Barangay officials and purok leaders also joined the activity. Most of them said they learned a lot from the training, as it made them be aware of the “integrated development” and “district-wide development” approach. They also learned the importance of being in one team, with one goal and vision.

“Through the IAD Program, we will not just think of our own town, but also of the progress of entire seventh district. We should not be selfish of our resources but instead think of what we can share to the other towns in the district,” Mayor Blanco said.

Ronda is a fifth class municipality in the southwestern coast of Cebu Province, about 81.5 kilometers southwest of Cebu City and is one of eight (8) LGUs in the seventh district.

The Integrated Area Development Program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI-IAD) provides Local Government Units (LGUs) with technical assistance towards socio-economic development.