House backs creation of Mega Cebu Development Authority

CEBU, Philippines - The House Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization has approved the proposed creation of a Mega Cebu Development Authority through a bill authored principally by Cebu City north district Representative Raul del Mar.

 Presided by Representative Agapito Guanlao, the committee on January 27 approved House Bill No. 6227 also known as “An Act Creating the Mega Cebu Development Authority, Prescribing Its Powers, Functions, and Duties, Providing Funds Therefor, and for other purposes.”

 The co-authors of the bill are Representatives Gabriel Luis “Luigi” Quisumbing (6th District, Cebu), Felix Joseph Mari “Ace” Joseph Durano (5th District, Cebu), Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. (1st District, Cebu), Rodrigo “Bebot” Abellanosa  (2nd District, Cebu), Aileen Radaza (Lone District, Lapu-Lapu City), Gwendolyn Garcia (3rd District, Cebu), Benhur Salimbangon (4th District, Cebu), and Wilfredo Caminero (2nd District, Cebu).

 The bill was filed last October 9, 2015.

 Present during the deliberations at the committee level were Del Mar, Caminero and Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board– Research, Program and Organizational Development (MCDCB-RPOD) representatives: executive committee chairperson Gordon Alan Joseph, Evelyn Nacario-Castro, executive director of the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.; legal consultant, lawyer Jose Maria Gastardo; National Economic and Development Authority-7 assistant Regional Director Dionisio Ledres Jr.; and Rodrigo Lachica, representing Governor Hilario Davide III.

 Also present were representatives of the central offices of the Office of Civil Defense and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

 The meeting with the committee served as an avenue for invited representatives and agencies to present their views on the proposed bill.

 In his presentation, Ledres said NEDA supports the creation of the MCDA to oversee development efforts and ini-tiatives that deal with the challenges and problems confronting Metro Cebu.

 The role of metropolitan centers, Ledres said, is a key in driving economic growth, generating jobs, driving trade and commerce, as well as attracting new investments.

 “This is an important milestone for the bill,” Castro said. “This means we are one step closer in the creation of the MCDA.”

She clarified, however, that HB 6227 still has a way to go before the eventual creation of the authority. A counterpart bill will be presented at the Senate level.

 The MCDA shall comprise “the core metropolitan area embracing the highly urbanized cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu and the cities of Danao, Talisay, Naga, and Carcar as well as the municipalities of Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, Cordova, Minglanilla, and San Fernando.”

 The functions of the MCDA include the formulation, coordination, regulation, and monitoring of the short, medium, and long-term plans, policies, and programs for the sustainable development and integration of the Metropolitan Cebu area. This includes investment programs for the delivery of multi-LGU or metropolitan wide services, land use, spatial and physical development using strong, coherent governing values and shared vision, with focus on integrated systems for urban development.

 At the same time, the MCDA will render services that have multi-LGU or metropolitan wide coverage and impact, transcending local geopolitical boundaries or entailing substantial expenditures including, but not limited, to the integrated and infrastructure development and planning; transport and traffic management; solid waste disposal and management; water, septage, sewerage and storm water management; and disaster risk reduction and management.

 The MCDA likewise ensures that plans, policies, programs and services are pursued for the purpose of realizing the Mega Cebu 20150 Vision of a Wholesome, Advanced, Vibrant, Equitable, and Sustainable (W.A.V.E.S.) Cebu, executing the Mega Cebu development strategy of competitiveness, livability, mobility, and metropolitan management and implementing the Metropolitan Cebu Roadmap and other subsequent and related roadmaps.

 The Mega Cebu platform is a consortium of government, private and civil society sector stakeholders that envisions sustained urban growth in Metro Cebu up to 2050.  (FREEMAN)