The Integrated Area Development Program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI-IAD) and the eight (8) municipalities of Cebu’s seventh congressional district, in partnership with the Province of Cebu and district officials, are intensifying efforts to reduce poverty within the district by creating conditions for balanced socio-economic development through an integrated, participatory and results-based approach. 

As a result of meetings and workshop sessions with the IAD focal teams from the different municipalities in the district, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the creation of District 7 Inter-Local Council was signed by Gov. Hilario Davide III, Rep. Peter Calderon, Provincial Board Member Jerome Librando, and mayors from the district. The signing was held last November 5, 2018, at the Cebu Provincial Capitol. 

Stakeholders believe creating the council is a step toward the realization of a shared vision to make the district become “the center for sustainable tourism in the Philippines by 2028.”  

Under the MOA, the Council will formulate strategies, policies which align to the realization of its vision, promote an integrated and sustainable development plan for the District, coordinate with relevant stakeholders for the execution of the plans, mobilize resources needed for the implementation of its objectives, and create technical working groups or project teams whenever necessary and appropriate to perform specific tasks. The Council will have two member-representatives from the academe, two from the private sector, and two from civil society/non-government organization.

The IAD focal teams have come up with three circuit tourism packages with the following themes — eco-tourism, adventure tourism or agriculture tourism. To ensure smooth operations, the District 7 Inter-Local Council will develop and adopt a framework and manual of operations which will guide the business and conduct of the Council, its various functions, structures and mechanisms, plans, programs, and efforts. The Council will also meet quarterly. 

Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Government has expressed to donate P5 million as a support fund for the creation of the Integrated Area Development Program (IADP) for Cebu’s 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.