Rep. Duterte decries delay in Metro Davao Dev’t Authority law implementation

Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte on Wednesday called for the implementation of the law creating the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA) which was passed shortly before his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, finished his term on June 30.

“We should not delay the implementation of the law creating the MDDA. Metro Davao is seven times the size of Metro Manila and even bigger than the land area of Singapore. We can save Metro Davao from haphazard planning and transform it into a smart, sustainable, and resilient metropolis if the MDDA can start doing its job,” Duterte said.

Under the law numbered Republic Act (RA) 11708, Metropolitan Davao is composed of the cities of Davao, Panabo, Tagum, Island Garden in Samal, Digos, and Mati, as well as the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, Sulop, Carmen, Maco, Malita and Sta. Maria in the Davao Region.

“Among the key concerns that the MDDA should urgently address is Metro Davao’s infrastructure system, its transportation policies and programs, solid waste disposal and flood control management, water and power supply, and urban planning and shelter concerns,” Duterte added.

Duterte also said that Metro Davao spurred the pre-pandemic growth of the Davao Region at 7% percent in 2019 and that even amid a pandemic, the Davao Region still posted an economic growth of 5.9 percent in 2021, higher than the national level.

The MDDA, Duterte said, will enable the region to expand job and business opportunities, as well as improve the delivery of public services.

The same law provides that the Metropolitan Davao Development Council (MDDC) will serve as the MDDA’s governing board and policy-making body.

Duterte said that the Davao Regional Development Council began drafting the MDDA law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations and that the initial budget as well as the MDCC’s staffing pattern in May this year is due to be endorsed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

The MDDA was signed into law by former President Duterte last April.

GMA News Online has asked Duterte’s office if the delayed implementation of the MDDA law is due to delayed issuance of the IRR, and we will publish their reply as soon as it becomes available. — BM, GMA Integrated News