THE SENATE on Monday passed on third and final reading a proposed law that will create a Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA), which will synchronize plans for a wider urban area in the Davao region.

“The establishment of the MDDA will institutionalize the rapid urbanization in the Davao Region through strategic and viable reforms directed primarily towards regional cooperation and economic growth,” said Senator Francis N. Tolentino, primary sponsor of the bill, during the plenary session.

House Bill 8930 was passed unanimously by the Senate, with amendments in consideration of counterpart bills filed in the upper chamber.

“By agglomerating the major cities and municipalities in the Region, the MDDA will further liberalize local government units within its jurisdiction from their dependence upon the national government and promote a sustained and all-inclusive decentralization in the Region,” Mr. Tolentino said.

Under the Senate’s version of the bill, 15 towns and cities will be covered by the Metro Davao area. 

These are: Davao City; cities of Panabo, Tagum, and the Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; Digos City in Davao del Sur; Mati City in Davao Oriental; and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, and Sulop in Davao del Sur; Carmen in Davao del Norte; Maco in Davao de Oro; and Malita and Sta. Maria in Davao Occidental.

“The uniform decision-making made by metropolitan councils makes more sense given the geographical contiguity of LGUs (local government units) and the state of urban mobility in the country,” said Mr. Tolentino.

The Metro Davao agency will coordinate plans on traffic management, solid waste disposal, and security, among others. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan 

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR