Mariano Marcos
State University

ASCEND Project gets nod from RDC-1 Full Council

By Sherlyn Nicolas, 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘰𝘳

Supporting its vision of sustainable economic development, the Regional Development Council-1 (RDC-1) Full Council has officially endorsed the Region 1 component of the Advancing Skills, Competitiveness, and Enterprise Development (ASCEND) Project on June 17. 

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is positioned to be the project’s hub, focusing on renewable energy research, technology, and innovation.

With this local nod during the council's Second Quarter Full Council Meeting, the Asian Development Bank-funded innovation moves forward to the national stage for evaluation by the Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) under the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEpDev).

Vice President for Resource Generation and Management Bjorn Santos presented the project together with Ms. Lenie Bayangos and Dr. Sherlyn Nicolas. 

The project aims to strengthen industry transformation, innovation-driven entrepreneurship, workforce skills development, and green transition initiatives by establishing advanced facilities and industry transformation infrastructure.

The Initiative is expected to enhance competitiveness, accelerate innovation, generate quality employment, and support the region's transition toward a more productive, sustainable, and innovation-driven economy.

The RDC-1 Full Council was chaired by La Union Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega and attended by provincial governors, city mayors, provincial league of mayors, regional heads, representatives from the non-government organizations, and the private sector.  

RDC is the highest policy-making body in the region and serves as the counterpart of the DEPDev Board at the subnational level. It is the primary institution that coordinates and sets the direction of all economic and social development efforts in the region.

It also serves as a forum where local efforts can be related and integrated with national development activities.