NorMin development council to hold meeting in Cambodia

From Philippines
Jump to navigation Jump to search
→ → Go back HOME to Zamboanga: the Portal to the Philippines.
By Froilan Gallardo

THE Regional Development Council (RDC) composed of 60 government officials and businessmen left Thursday night for the resort town of Siem Reap in Cambodia where they will hold their regular meeting.

All of their transportation, hotel and food will be shouldered by the government, said Cagayan de Oro second district Representative Rufus Rodriguez.

Rodriguez said regional directors of government agencies working for RDC-Northern Mindanao will return after three days and three nights stay in Siem Reap, the known gateway to the picturesque Angkor Wat temple.

He said the regional directors, including their staff, will leave via Cebu Pacific, which has a daily flight direct from Manila to Siem Reap.

“Me and Maxie gave P50,000 and P100,000 for the transportation, hotel and food of the regional directors,” Rodriguez told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro.

Maxie is partylist Representative Maxie Rodriguez, younger brother of Rufus.

Besides him and Maxie, Rodriguez said all congressmen in Northern Mindanao also gave P50,000 to P100,000 to fund the trip.

Rodriguez said the RDC meeting in Siem Reap will tackle the different government infrastructure projects that are being implemented in Northern Mindanao.

He said the government executives will also want to know how Cambodia conducted its successful eco-tourism.

Rodriguez said the trip was approved during a recent RDC meeting.

Cerael Donggay, president of Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Oro Chamber), said he was not invited to join the trip but learned of it from business colleagues.

“I would not go even if I were invited. I have so much work going on now,” Donggay said.

Eileen San Juan, City Government consultant on investments promotions, said she too was not invited and would not have joined even if she were invited.

San Juan said they are leaving for the United States today for the annual Tapok Cagayan de Oro activities there.