The RDC is jointly headed by a Chairperson and a Co-Chairperson appointed by the President of the Philippines. If the Chairperson comes from the government, the Co-Chairperson must come from the private sector, or vice-versa. Only elective officials are appointed as Chair or Co-Chairperson.
The NEDA Regional Director is the ex-officio Vice-Chairperson of the RDC, while the NEDA Assistant Regional Director is the ex-officio Secretary.
The same officials serve as the ex-officio Chairperson, Co-Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary of the RDC Executive and Advisory Committees.
The terms of office of the Chairperson, Co-Chairperson and the PSRs coincide with the regular term of local elective officials. This prescribed term of office is without prejudice to reappointment.
| Period | Chair | Co-Chair | Vice Chair | Secretary |
| 1995-1998 | Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante (Governor, Agusan del Norte) | Felix Villacastin | Jose Mazo | Johnny Lim |
| 1998-2001 | Valentina Plaza (Governor, Agusan del Sur) | Engr. Epimaco Galero Jr. | Jose Mazo | Johnny Lim |
| 2001-2004 | Lyndon Barbers (Governor, Surigao del Norte) | None | Carmencita Cochingco | |
| 2004-2007 | Democrito Plaza II (Mayor, Butuan City) | Engr. Leonel Santos | Carmencita Cochingco | |
| 2007-2010 | None | None | Carmencita Cochingco | |
| 2010-2013 | Sol Matugas (Governor, Surigao del Norte) | Marlon Advincula (Private Sector Representative) | Carmencita Cochingco | Mylah Faye Aurora Carino (2012-2013) |
| 2013-2016 | Sol Matugas (Governor, Surigao del Norte) | Mylah Faye Aurora Carino | Roy Kantuna (2015-2016) | |
| 2016-2019 | Sol Matugas (Governor, Surigao del Norte) | None | Mylah Faye Aurora Carino (until December 31, 2018) Atty. Bonifacio Uy | Roy Kantuna |
| 2019-2022 | Dale B. Corvera (Governor, Agusan del Norte | Atty. Bonifacio G. Uy (2019 until September 2020) Priscilla R. Sonido (October 2020-2022) |
Sectoral Committees
| Period | Sectoral Committee | Chair | Co-Chair |
| 2016-2019 | Development Administration | Mayor Alexander Pimentel (Tandag City) | Ms. Helen Arellano |
| Economic Development | Mayor Ronnie Vicente Lagnada (Butuan City) | Engr. Leonel Santos | |
| Infrastructure Development | Dr. Epimaco Galero Jr. | Mayor Librado Navarro | |
| Social Development | Dr. Pazfegurita Ojeda | None |
| Period | Sectoral Committee | Chair | Co-Chair |
| 2019-2022 | Development Administration | Mayor Ernesto U. Matugas, Jr., Surigao City | Ms. Pazfegurita M. Ojeda, PSR for Education Sector |
| Economic Development | Governor Arlene J. Bag-ao, Province of Dinagat Islands | Engr. Leonel A. Santos, PSR for Mineral Sector | |
| Infrastructure Development | Governor Santiago B. Cane, Jr., Province of Agusan del Sur | Engr. Epimaco M. Galero, Jr., Ph.D, PSR for Logistic Sector | |
| Social Development | Mayor Kirk A. Asis, Bayugan City | Ms. Conception C. Asis, PSR for Basic Sector |