Senate amendment on House Bill (HB) No. 8930 or Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MMDA) accepted by Congress last January 31, ordered them to print the final revision of the bill for President’s approval. 

Bill 8930 aims to ease the traffic and crowdedness in Metro Manila by spreading the business and key centers in the country. The Bill complied with the Philippine Medium Term Development Plan (PDP) of 2017 – 2022. 

Isidro Ungab, Deputy Speaker and Third District Representative, said Davaoeños urged and asked for the passing of the said law. He believed the MMDA Bill will help to progress the business and economy of Davao City.  

Ungab acknowledged the help of the Senate Committee on Local Government Chairman Francis Tolentino for spearheading the rapid passage of the Bill in the senate.

Deputy Speaker said, “We are grateful for all the help of Senator Tolentino, whose experience as former chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority greatly contributed to the polishing and fine-tuning of the MDDA Bill, apart from him understanding that the MDDA’s establishment will certainly “institutionalize rapid urbanization” in the Davao region.”

The six cities and nine municipalities are under the authority of the MMDA namely: Davao City; the cities of Panabo, Tagum and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; Digos City in Davao del Sur; Mati City in Davao Oriental; and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, and Sulop in Davao del Sur, Carmen in Davao del Norte, Maco in Davao de Oro, and Malita and Sta Maria in Davao Occidental.

The MMDA Bill is one of the projects of the Vice-President Aspirant Sara Duterte as the head of Metropolitan Davao Development Coordinating Committee (MDDCC).