Metro Cebu Development Authority pushed anew

CEBU, Philippines – The Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board is pushing for the creation of the Mega Cebu Development Authority.

The members of the board presented yesterday a draft bill for the local government units, national government agencies, and private sector representatives to the MCDCB to comment on the proposed measure not later than September 23.

“Dako kaayo ni’g ikatabang. Importante gyud (to have) somebody with legal personality to formulate plans, policies for Metro Cebu,” said MCDCB chairman and Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

Davide said it was the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) that is pushing them to do it. JICA is supporting most of MCDCB’s projects.

“(This is) to make things easier in dealing with JICA and other international agencies,” said Davide, adding that the MCDCB is just an “informal” organization with no legal personality.

Section 2 of the proposed MCDA Act of 2015 provides that the purpose of it is to “promote and accelerate the sustainable development and balanced growth of the Province of Cebu and the highly urbanized cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu, within the context of national policies for economic, social and environmental well-being of the people.”

The proposed body will cover the towns of Liloan, Consolacion, Compostela, Cordova, San Fernando, and Minglanilla and the cities of Danao, Mandaue, Talisay, Naga, and Carcar. The MCDA shall formulate, regulate medium and long term plans, policies and programs for Metro Cebu.

The members of the board yesterday went on a lengthy discussion whether or not to include other GLUs outside of Metro Cebu. It was, however, agreed that for the moment it shall only cover the 13 LGUs.

The draft bill will be submitted to Cebu City north district Rep. Raul del Mar who will sponsor the bill. He promised to file it in Congress before it goes on a break next month.

Under the proposed bill, the MCDA will compose the governor, the mayors of the 13 LGUs, the president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines, the regional directors of the national agencies in Central Visayas, heads of seven private sectors and civil society groups and a general manager to be appointed by the executive committee. — /FPL (FREEMAN)