 The Iligan City Council has passed a resolution endorsing to both houses of Congress the passage of two pending bills that would pave the way for the creation of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) or the Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MEDA).
The resolution provided additional push for the creation of a Mindanao-wide government mechanism that will ensure continuity of peace and development efforts in southern Philippines.
The resolution is endorsing the passage of House Bill No. 6958 for the creation of MinDA while Senate Bill 3496 for the creation of MEDA.
Iligan City Councilor Orlando Maglinao, author of the resolution, believes that the two legislative measures will accelerate the socio-economic growth, advance efforts towards peace and promote tourism and investments in Mindanao.
Last December 13, the Senate has already approved during the third and final reading the bill creating MEDA and agreed to adopt House Bill No. 6958, the counterpart bill earlier approved by Congress last November 16, as the final version.
The bills, which are due for a bicameral deliberation, are among the remaining priority measures that have been pipelined when both chambers resume session this month.
Both MEDA and MinDA bills have been pushed in view of the need for Mindanao to catch up with the mainstream national development.
The general provisions of the bills seek to strengthen the existing Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) by converting it into MEDA.
Senator Edgardo Angara, co-sponsor of the bill, said that given the vast potentials and strategic geographical location of Mindanao, he would like to see the island-region transform from being a backdoor to becoming the country’s front door to greater economic opportunities especially in the East ASEAN region./// Manila Bulletin
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