GMA eyeing old SPDA compound for DA office

DAVAO CITY — President Arroyo ordered the transfer of the central office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to the six-hectare complex that used to house the defunct Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) in Barangay Catalunan Pequeño here.

"With Mindanao as food basket, it is best that the DA be in Mindanao, (specifically) in Davao," the President said in a dinner with Davao journalists last Friday night.

Upon her arrival here Friday noon, the President immediately inspected the old SPDA complex although it was not part of her itinerary.

She said the complex is just the right area for the DA central office.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said he expects the DA national office here to fully operate in January next year.

Mrs. Arroyo instructed Presidential Adviser on New Government Centers Rodolfo del Rosario to look into the requirements for the setting up of the main DA office here.

The anomaly-ridden SPDA was replaced last year by the Mindanao Peace and Development Fund (MPDF) which oversees development assistance particularly for Muslim communities all over Mindanao.

The MPDF is tasked to forge partnerships with non-government organizations, local governments and the private sector for socio-economic projects.

MPDF executive director Virgilio Leyretana said they will still occupy a portion of the complex when the DA moves in.