ILOILO CITY, May 4 (PIA) - - The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) 6 will conduct the Western Visayas leg of the virtual caravan on the Updated Philippine Development Plan (PDP) on May 5.

NEDA 6 Officer-in-Charge Director Meylene Rosales is urging the public to join the online event via zoom by registering for free at https://bit.ly/ WVPDPCaravanRegister or the live stream through NEDA Regional Office 6-Western Visayas Facebook page.

"This is to rally more support behind the PDP implementation para may buy-in naman tayo from as many stakeholders as possible dito sa Region 6," said Rosales during the recent press conference on the 2020 Performance of the Regional Economy hosted by the Philippine Statistics Authority 6.

The Updated PDP is a whole-of-society approach for economic recovery and getting the country back on track towards achieving a "matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay" for every Filipino.

Rosales said there are five resource persons invited during the online event led by Commission on Population Executive Director Usec. Juan Antonio Perez, Department of Science and Technology 6 Director Rowen Gelonga, entrepreneurs Noel Bangeles and wife, Gail and 4th District of Leyte Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez

Perez will discuss the key points in the achievement of the demographic dividend across all regions while Gelonga will talk on Science, Technology and Innovation, its role in the agriculture sector and in addressing pandemic/post pandemic needs.

The Bangeles couple will share the challenges, struggles and innovative and entrepreneurial practices in farming. They owned the Bangeles Integrated Farm which promotes integrated and diversified organic farming.

Gomez will discuss the establishment of standard evacuation center in all towns and cities nationwide to boost the country's disaster preparedness. She sponsored House Bill 8900 that will help ensure climate and disaster-resilient structures with designs that follow established methods and standards.

The Virtual Caravan on the Updated PDP, which will start at 1:30 PM, aims to provide a virtual platform of discourse and engagement between the government and the community in tackling the content of the Updated PDP. (JSC/laf/PIA6 Iloilo)