SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
Committee Report No. 293
CREATION OF METROPOLITAN DAVAO DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Recommending the approval of House Bill No. 8930 with amendments,
taking into consideration Senate Bill Nos. 2116, 2153, and 2157

Mr. President, my esteemed colleagues in the Senate, a pleasant afternoon. I am honored to report out Committee Report No. 293, recommending the approval of House Bill No. 8930, entitled "An Act Creating the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA), defining its Powers and Functions, and Providing Funds Therefor," and taking into consideration Senate Bill Nos. 2116, 2153, and 2157, with amendments.

Metropolitan Davao has the third largest population among the metropolitan areas, next to Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. As one of the centers of commercial, financial, and administrative activities in the country, Metropolitan Davao has continued to play a crucial role in promoting industrialization in the Mindanao Region.

Once the measure is passed, the MDDA will have jurisdiction over six (cities) and eight (8) municipalities, thus: 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, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, and Sta. Maria in Davao del Sur; Carmen in Davao del Norte; Maco in Davao de Oro; and Malita in Davao Occidental.

As thoroughly deliberated during Committee hearings, the establishment of the MDDA will in no way diminish the functions of its component local government units (LGUs). On the other hand, the MDDA, once created, will ensure the socio-economic growth and sustainable development of the LGUs within Metropolitan Davao.

By establishing the MDDA, the coordination and economic cooperation among the component cities and municipalities of Metropolitan Davao will be further strengthened. Considering the paralyzing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to economic growth, there is no better time than now to pass this legislative measure. The passage of this Bill will secure efficient delivery of services across interdependent government units and promote economic viability amidst the global pandemic.

Moreover, the MDDA will be governed by the Metropolitan Davao Development Council whose membership equally represents the component LGUs of six cities and eight municipalities. This will further ensure the inclusive growth in the Region.

On this note, I would like to thank the authors of House Bill No. 8930, Representatives Ungab, Gonzaga, Zamora, etc. for diligently working on this measure in the Lower House. My gratitude also goes to Senators Marcos, Dela Rosa, and Go for filing the counterpart measures in the Senate - Senate Bill Nos. 2116, 2153, and 2157, respectively; and for actively participating in threshing out the legal and policy issues concerning the Bills during committee deliberations.

I hope that the rest of our colleagues in the Senate will support the swift passage of this measure.

Thank you, Mr. President.