Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa pushes for creation of MDDA

If Metro Manila has the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or MMDA, Davao could soon have a similar agency.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa is currently seeking to push Senate Bill No. 2153, also known as the act creating the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority or MDDA. Dela Rosa, who also authored the bill, said the creation of an MDDA would allow for better coordination among cities and provinces in the area, particularly Metro Davao. He further adds that the alignment of policies, projects, and programs under MDDA will “ensure unhampered growth of the entire region” and not only the region's major city.

“The creation of the MDDA will give rise to strong coordination in development planning in the region thereby assuring steadfast achievement of sustainable inclusive economic growth. Ultimately, this will redound to the benefit of our national economy,” said Dela Rosa.

According to the Senate Bill, the MDDA will have jurisdiction over Davao City; the cities of Panabo, Tagum, and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), in Davao del Norte; the City of Digos in Davao del Sur; 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. The services of the MDDA will be similar to that of the MMDA, which includes development planning, transport management, waste disposal and management, and urban renewal among others.

At the moment, Dela Rosa is pushing the Senate to fast track the bill's approval, saying “without coordination, there can be no progress”. Aside from Senate Bill No. 2153, Senate Bill No. 2116 authored by Senator Imee Marcos and Senate Bill No. 2157 by Senator Christopher Go also push for the creation of an MDDA. 

What do you think about the creation of the MDDA for the Davao area? Let us know your opinion in the comments.

mdda metropolitan davao development authority senate