Duterte signs law creating Metropolitan Davao Dev’t Authority

(FILE) Davao City commuters shove and push elbow-to-elbow to board public transport vehicles during morning rush hours. —KARLOS MANLUPIG

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo has signed into law a measure creating the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA), presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar announced Wednesday.

The president signed the measure on April 13, based on a copy of Republic Act No. 11708 released to reporters.

“Nilagdaan din ni Pangulong Duterte ang Republic Act No. 11708 na lumilikha ng Metropolitan Davao Development Authority,” Andanar said during the Palace press briefing.

(President Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11708 which creates the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority.)

The body will be organized “to coordinate and promote socioeconomic growth and sustainable development of Metropolitan Davao.”

The measure reads: “It is hereby declared the policy of the State to adopt a national dispersion through regional agglomeration strategy to revitalize large cities and eventually stir them to expand their physical areas for planning as well as their service areas for urban service delivery.”

The following are the scope of the MDDA’s services:

-development planning

-transport management

-solid waste disposal and management

-flood control and sewerage management

-urban renewal, zoning, land use planning, and shelter services

-review and recommend to the MDD Council policies regarding development permits

-monitor the implementation of metropolitan-wide programs and projects and identify implementation issues and appropriate solutions

-install and administer a single ticketing system, fix, impose, and collect fines and penalties for violations, and confiscate and suspend or revoke driver’s licenses in the enforcement of such traffic laws and regulations

-prescribe and collect services and regulatory fees

-fix the compensation of the officers and personnel of the MDDA

-perform other functions consistent with the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority Act

/MUF