PASAY CITY -- On Wednesday, September 1, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go co-sponsored House Bill No. 8930 under Committee Report No. 293 which creates the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority or MDDA.
This measure seeks to address the growing needs of Davao City and nearby areas through the services which will be provided by the MDDA. These services will include development planning, transport management, solid waste disposal and management, urban zoning, land use planning, shelter services, health and sanitation, as well as public safety.
“Considering the rapid urbanization of Davao City and increasing population of the cities of Panabo, Tagum, and the Island Garden City of Samal, in Davao del Norte; napaka-traffic na po sa ngayon, the City of Digos in Davao del Sur, papunta po kanila (Senator) Bato; and the City of Mati in Davao Oriental, papunta rin po sa amin, and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, Carmen in Davao del Norte, Maco in Davao de Oro, and Malita in Davao Occidental, it is imperative that we create an agency which can centralize and oversee the development efforts and initiatives that deal with the challenges faced by Davao,” Go explained.
The proposed MDDA shall have jurisdiction over Davao City and the nearby cities of Panabo, Tagum, and the Island Garden City of Samal, in Davao del Norte; the City of Digos in Davao del Sur; and the City of Mati in Davao Oriental, and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, Carmen in Davao del Norte, Maco in Davao de Oro, and Malita in Davao Occidental.
"Bukod pa sa aking mga binanggit, magiging tulay din po ang MDDA para mapagbuklod ang publiko at pribadong sektor dahil isa sa mga mandato nito ay ang pakikipagtulungan sa mga pribadong organisasyon, at sa mga businesses na nag-ooperate sa Metropolitan Davao," said Go.
Go hails from Davao City and served as aide of then Davao City mayor President Rodrigo Duterte for more than twenty years.
The Senator, on May 4, filed his own version of the measure, Senate Bill No. 2157. In the explanatory note of his bill, Go cited Section 13, Article X of the 1987 Constitution which states that, "local government units may group themselves, consolidate or coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to them in accordance with law."
Further rationalizing the need for the measure, the Senator also noted that the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 adopts the policy of "national dispersion through regional agglomeration" to strengthen cities and stimulate them to expand their physical areas for planning.
The governing board and policy-making body of the proposed authority shall be the Metropolitan Davao Development Council, which shall be composed of the Chairperson of the Regional Development Council, Region XI; the governors of the five provinces, six city mayors, and four municipal mayors.
The MDDA is also tasked to consult, coordinate, and work closely with the LGUs, the Regional Development Council of Region XI, national government agencies, people’s organizations, non-government organizations, and the private sector operating in Metropolitan Davao.
In coordination with the National Economic and Development Authority and the Department of Finance, the MDDA can also interface with foreign assistance agencies to obtain financing support, grants and donations in support of its programs and projects.
Since Davao region is one of the centers of development in Mindanao, Go said that the MDDA is envisioned to serve as a gateway to extend the development to other regions in Mindanao.
"Sa pamamagitan ng MDDA, maipagpapatuloy po natin ang pangakong binitawan ng mahal na Pangulong Duterte at ng inyong lingkod na mabigyan ng maginhawa at komportableng buhay ang bawat Pilipino," he concluded.
Prior to the pandemic, the Davao Region’s gross regional domestic product grew by 7% in 2019, according to the data from the Philippines Statistics Authority. The region also accounts for 4.7% of the country’s entire GDP. (OSBG)
