The Central Visayas Regional Development Plan (RDP) 2023-2028 continues to be anchored on the Ambisyon Natin 2040 which embodies the long-term vision and aspirations of the Filipino people for themselves and their country. Specifically, the vision of the Filipinos for the Philippines in 2040 is for the country to be a “prosperous, predominantly middle class society where no one is poor and where people live long and healthy lives.” Likewise, the vision of the Filipinos for themselves is for a life that is stable, comfortable, and secure (matatag,
maginhawa, at panatag na buhay).
The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily side-tracked efforts toward the attainment of the vision as the country and the region grappled with the health, economic and social crisis brought about by the pandemic. As the country and the region learn to “live with the virus”, there is renewed effort to regain the lost momentum, resume the high-growth path, and begin the “economic and social transformation for a prosperous, inclusive and resilient society.”
The thrust of the RDP 2023-2028 is to achieve the economic and social transformation of Central Visayas in order to jumpstart the return of the economy on the high-growth path. This transformation is also critical for achieving Region 7’s goal of majority of its residents enjoying middle-class status sooner and of Central Visayas becoming a leading growth center in the country especially in trade & industry, science & technology innovation, tourism, and logistics.