MANILA, Philippines?Long-time peace negotiator and former press secretary Jesus Dureza offered, on Thursday, to quit his post as chairman of the newly created Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) despite a fixed term of six years set by law.

In a letter-memo to President Benigno Aquino III dated July 29, Dureza said this voluntary act would give the President ?a free hand and full opportunity? to choose the head of the agency that would carry out the new administration?s policies in the south.

Dureza's move is a stark contrast to the decision of many of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's appointees to hold on to their posts although their appointments were based on shaky grounds.

While offering to give up his post, Dureza made clear that he was ?not turning his back on his work in Mindanao? as he said that ?there is a lot more to do.?

Neither was he undermining the ?fixed term? clause of the MinDA charter, nor was he ?setting aside the honor and trust given by President Arroyo who appointed him and to whom I am most grateful.?

?The important consideration now is that the birth of the new agency and the assumption into office of the new president provide an opportunity for a fresh start,? he said.

In a phone interview, he said he was giving way for the ?new one to be appointed and ensure better transition.?

MinDA was created by Congress to integrate peace and development efforts in the south. It strengthens the existing Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco), which Dureza headed during the Ramos presidency.

MinDA focuses not only on the economic development of Mindanao, but on the social, political and cultural aspects of development in the southern island.

It also acts as an ?implementing agency for Mindanao-specific interregional and Mindanao-wide programs and projects,? and covers Mindanao?s six regions, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Dureza has been involved in Mindanao peace and development efforts since the time of President Fidel Ramos, doing peace negotiations, development work, conflict resolutions and personal interventions during critical situations.

Besides MinDA chair, Dureza also holds the following positions: Philippine head of the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines East Asian Growth Area known as BIMP-EAGA; the national program director of the United Nations Development Program ?Act for Peace Programme? that covers former conflict-affected areas and impoverished areas in Mindanao; co- chair of the Mindanao Working Group composed of country representatives of the international donor community; and head of the oversight group in the implementation of United States Aid projects in Mindanao.

Dureza said that President Aquino?s choice to head MinDA would be ?critical? in carrying out the Aquino administration?s policies and effectively handling the peace and development challenges ?unique to Mindanao and its people.?

Citing the strategic importance of Mindanao to the country as a whole, Dureza offered to voluntarily relinquish the position upon the assumption of the new chair chosen by President Aquino ?to enable a smooth and seamless transition and to avoid a hiatus in the operations of the authority.?