The Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO) of Surigao del Sur, spearheaded by Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) Vilma A. Ronquillo, EnP and Assistant PPDC Carolina R. Tidalgo, EnP conducted an Orientation cum Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) on the Process, Strategies, and Mechanism for the Formulation of the PGSDS Ecological Profile. The activity was fully supported by the personnel of the Office Four Divisions: Research, Evaluation & Statistics; Development Management Operation Division; Project Development Division; and Plans & Program Division.

The ecological profile is envisioned to be a comprehensive databank covering the physical, biological, socio-economic, cultural, and institutional characteristics of the province. Its preparation will greatly assist development planners, policymakers, and decision-makers of the provincial government in determining the current level of services to its constituents, the available resources, and the environmental factors that will influence policy. It will also help identify problem situations affecting target groups or specific segments of the population, thereby guiding them with evidence-based information to aid stakeholders of the province towards sustainable development planning and implementation of responsive programs and services.

Participants of the activity collaboratively shared insights, provided inputs for the needed information or data, and discussed recommendations to ensure the successful preparation of Surigao del Sur Ecological Profile. The collaborative efforts of the PPDO Management and workforce lays the fundamental ground for installing a more inclusive, data-driven, and responsive development planning documents and processes that will aid in the crafting of responsive development plans and programs of the Province of Surigao del Sur.