MESS
SAGES
Hi RD Ro-Ann! Few days from now you’ll be bowing out of government service. It is always with a heavy heart that we bid goodbye whenever we see a colleague retire, for we know that we will not be able to work with that person anymore, more so with the council. But to focus on the goodbyes than the service of RD Ro-Ann in the Regional Development Council VI will be a disrespect to her legacy. Working with the Regional Development Council of Region 6 during my stint there as DILG RD had become much easier with the vice-chairmanship of RD Ro-Ann. To RD Ro-Ann, I wish you a very healthy, wealthy, long and happy retirement. I know how committed you are in dedicating your time working in NEDA and with the RDC, but I hope that this chapter of your life bring you endless time to do the things you love. Stay safe and congratulations RD!
ENGR. ARIEL O. IGLESIA
Former Regional Director Department of the Interior and Local Government-VI
“Looking back at 2009 when I first met RD Ro-Ann, I was the Assistant Regional Director of the DILG Region VI then, when she assumed her post as Regional Director of the NEDA 6. Our various engagements opened the window for me to see how good of a public servant she is. From 2013 to 2018 as the Regional Director of DILG RVI, we had the opportunity to work closely and collaborate in various activities. As a member of the RDC 6, I became the Chairman of the DAC and automatically became a member of the RDC 6 Executive Committee. We initiated various activities in support to the PRO 6 when she served as our Vice Chair in the Regional Advisory Committee for PNP Transformation Program (Patrol 2030). As well, the success of the implementation of the Bottom-Up Budgeting Program of the DILG was not possible were it not because of her efforts as the Vice Chair of the Regional Poverty Reduction Action Team (RPRAT) 6. During our stint as Vice Chairs of the RDRRMC 6, we also had the chance to further our collaboration as I can clearly recall how it paved way to a seamless provision of assistance to our constituents in Region VI during the aftermath of the typhoon Yolanda. She has always been reassuring especially in the implementation of the various programs of the DILG. I am even beyond grateful of her significant contribution in my nomination for the CapDev Ace: Tatag Ng Agila Award. Thus, I can say that our relationship was not just confined in the realm of public service, as we have established a friendship together with other heads of National Government Agencies. For approximately a decade of working with her, must I say, I can speak none but good remarks about her. She may display a feisty and very strict
personality, her motherly aura reflects on how she deals with her fellow public servants and the people that she serves. She is an embodiment of a true public servant – one who is committed and dedicated towards her sworn duty. Zealous. Ingenious. RD Ro-Ann, it has been a privilege working with you. I hope you enjoyed your time spent in the name of public service. And surely, you have served the Ilonggos faithfully for the past decade. You now have more time for your family particularly to your grandchildren. My heartfelt congratulations on your retirement! Godspeed.�
ATTY. ANTHONY C. NUYDA
Former Regional Director Department of the Interior and Local Government-VI
I give my sincerest and best wishes for you, Regional Director Ro-ann Bacal as you preside your last Regional Land Use Committee Meeting. The committee that you chaired for the last 12 long years with so much passion skills and expertise that inspire many members of the RLUC. Your dedication and enthusiasm serve as example for all Regional Land Use Committee members to continue and further develop the foundation you have firmly established for Western Visayas Regional Land Use Committee. As you leave government service soon, I wish you all the best as you enjoy your newfound freedom, your journey in the new chapter of your life. Congratulations for a job greatly done RD Ro-ann Bacal! See you soon in the private sector. God bless you.
ATTY. HELEN J. CATALBAS Regional Director Department of Tourism VI
I would like to thank RD Ro-Ann A. Bacal for the 12 years of exemplary service to the people of Western Visayas. Your proactive leadership at NEDA-RO 6 has, in no small measure, facilitated the development in the region, including our province, Neg.Occ. You are my idol in the government planning and development coordination service, since I started as PPDC in 2010, and you were already our RD. I treasure the times I am with you in the meetings of RDC R6, RDCom Visayas, and the RDC Advisory Committee in Congress. I also learned from how you effectively and decisively conducted the RPMC troubleshooting sessions. Most of all, I appreciated that you have beautifully upgraded the NEDA R6 regional office, and I was privileged to have been a transient at the dorm. I heard you are retiring in our region and I consider it an honor that you chose to be a ‘kasimanwa’. Again, thank you and Godspeed on your retirement!
DR. MA. LINA P. SANOGAL
Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Province of Negros Occidental
Director Ro-Ann, it has been a privilege to meet and work with you in our Regional Land Use Committee. During this pandemic, I consistently attended our meetings via Zoom which is readily accessible anywhere insteading of traveling by sea. In these regular meetings I have learned so much from you and from other resource persons. By your constant reminders and critical thinking, we learned that there is so much to be done in our land use planning. We gained so much knowledge on that. In our case, we have already submitted our CLUP and it was reviewed by various agencies and members of the RLUC. However, due to a heavy work load that we faced and quickly addressed the issues arisen during this pandemic such as rehabilitation and recovery plan, updating DRRM pland, and continuous monitoring of projects, which set aside our CLUP. Now, we can hopefully complete the necessary requirements to comply with their comments. You greatly helped us in resolving our issues and concerns regarding land use planning. Even when we are on a separate island here in Bacolod City, you always made us feel welcome. We appreciate your words of encouragement, support and kindness. Wishing all the best in your retirement. Good luck for great and new beginnings. Most of all, congratulations for a job well done. We will surely miss you, Director Ro-Ann.
ENGR. MARY JEAN L. RAMOS
City Planning and Development Coordinator Bacolod City
Since 2008 when Dir. Ro-ann A. Bacal assumed her position as Director of the office of NEDA R6, we found her had contributed a lot in principles and had shared brilliant ideas in terms of land use planning that which we believed answered the majority land use planning of issues we encountered in the Region 6 in the last 12 years. We believed that not only in the Regional Land Use Committee (RLUC) but also in all sectors that NEDA R6 is mandated to perform as the function of the office. Her contribution to the development planning will enable Region 6 to uplift and goes parallel to the demand of its population by the implementation of sustainable development principles. She has a lot of ideas in terms of planning principles in which will able to defend her side and made others peer and agree to her ideas. Under her leadership and active participation during meetings and conferences as NEDA Regional Director all the activities objectives were met/
accomplished and we rated Director Bacal and her staff as outstanding for the job well done. Kruuuay!!! and congratulation on the good works you had done in Region 6 from the PPDO and the people of the Province of Antique, we hope even though you now retiring as our NEDA Regional Director, but we still believe that you will still actively participate in any government activities in the future in your home town or where ever town or region you were going to settle as a private citizen and still you share your though and brilliant ideas that will be adopted by the local planners in the localities. We pray to the almighty God in heaven that he gives you a healthy physical condition and strength to continue to share your brilliant knowledge for the development of our country Philippines. We remain.
JULIANA O. CEPE
Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator Province of Antique
Salamat guid, RD Bacal! You have set a high standard for a vibrant and very active Regional Land Use Committee. Thank you very much and have a safe and relaxing retirement. We will miss you.
RLUC-VI TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT Policy Formulation and Planning Division National Economic and Development Authority VI
MARIA LOURDES B. MIADO, Chief EDS JOYALITA B. TIGRES, Supervising EDS JUVELYN B. PAMONAG, Senior EDS AUGUST MELODY A. ANDONG, Senior EDS RAY ADRIAN C. MACALALAG, Senior EDS RAIMER GEL G. CASPILLO, EDS I