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Senate panel approves bill on creation of Metro Davao Development Authority


The Senate Committee on Local Government on Thursday approved the proposed creation of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MMDA).

President Rodrigo Duterte's daughter Sara, the mayor of Davao City, was among the local officials present at the Senate hearing and who expressed support for the measure.

House Bill 8930, seeking the establishment of the MDDA, was approved by the House of Representatives on March 25, 2021.

Sara said the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) from 2017 to 2022 urged the creation of the MDDA.

“The PDP specifically cited Metro Davao, along with Metro Cebu, Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro as metropolitan centers for commercial, financial, and administrative activities, recognizing the economic and demographic trends,” Sara said.

Under the plan, the following LGUs were identified to be part of the Metropolitan Davao: Tagum in Davao Del Norte, Island Garden City of Samal, Panabo in Davao del Norte, Digos in Davao del Sur, highly-urbanized city of Davao, and the towns of Carmen in Davao del Norte, and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur.

“So, we are here to support the House Bill [8930] authored by Congressman [Isidro] Ungab creating the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority over the said areas, Mr chair,” Sara said.

Committee chairman Senator Francis Tolentino asked Sara if Davao officials were if favor of the proposal to to include the municipalities of Malalag, Padada, Hagonoy and Santa Maria in the areas covered by the MDDA.

Sara expressed no objection to the proposal pushed by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who hails from Davao del Sur.

Hagonoy Mayor Franco Calida and Santa Maria Vice Mayor Josephine Mariscal were also in favor that their municipalities be included in the areas MDDA.

Sara said Moreover, the suggestions for the MDDA to assume the functions of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in granting franchises, manage Davao International Airport, create the Metro Davao Police District, and elect the chairman of the MDDA are yet to be consulted with Regional Development Council XI chairman Jayvee Tyron Uy, said Duterte.

“I am just the chair of the Metropolitan Davao Coordinating Committee, Mr. chair. So, I would like to consult the chairperson of the Regional Development Council which is Governor Tyrone Uy because this initiative came from his term as regional development chairperson for Region XI. I’ll get back to you on this, Mr chair,” Duterte said.

At the same hearing, the National Economic Development Authority expressed support for MDDA’s creation, but it has brought up the need for a plebiscite.

NEDA Region XI regional director Mario Lourdes Lim said the plebiscite is mandated by the 1987Constitution.

However, Tolentino bucked the proposal, saying the bills being tackled did not mention any plebiscite.

He also cited the Supreme Court ruling on the case of Metro Manila Development Authority versus Bel-Air Village Association.

“If you’re creating a new political entity, there is a big difference between a special administrative region, if I’m not mistaken. So there might not be a need for a plebiscite here,” he said.

Under the said SC ruling, Tolentino explained that MMDA is not a political unit of the government and therefore, there is no plebiscite needed.

Moreover, NEDA agreed on the creation of MDDA’s own development council which will be separate from the existing Region XI regional development council.

Ungab, who was also present at the hearing, proposed to retain the provision in HB 8930, which he authored, stating that Metro Davao Development Council will elect its chairman and the members of the council.

“Kung i-subject natin sa electoral process, it will be another local government unit tsaka again kakailanganin ng plebiscite so mahaba na ang proseso,” Ungab said.

(If we will subject this to an electoral process, it will be another local government unit which again will require a plebiscite. That will be along process.)

The Senate panel will consolidate HB 8930, and the three Senate bills filed by Senators Dela Rosa, Imee Marcos, and Bong Go before it submit its report to the plenary.

The bills seek to create the MDDA to formulate plans aligned to the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) and PDP 2017- 2022.

Once passed into law, the body will be mandated to set and implement policies on transport management, solid waste disposal, urban renewal, zoning, land use planning, and shelter service, health and sanitation, urban protection, and pollution control, public safety and other metropolitan wide programs and projects. —NB, GMA News

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