The article presents the development and application of the “Key Development Program” (KDP) as an approach in the regional development planning process of the Southern Tagalog Region, Philippines. The approach, which is seen as a merger of the “top-down” and “bottom-up” approaches in planning, is attempted to be assessed generally vis-à-vis the sectoral approach. As can be seen in the study, the KDP approach evolved as a solution to then perceived problems of uncoordinated implementation of programs and projects and of overlapping or duplicating service delivery activities at the local level. Although without a precise and conclusive assessment of the approach, the article presents some advantages of its utilization that other regions may want to look into.