When the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was created back in 1975, one of its main tasks was to ensure the smooth flow of vehicular traffic along the major thoroughfares of Metro Manila.
The MMDA also performs planning, monitoring, and coordinative functions, and in the process exercises regulatory and supervisory authority over the delivery of metro-wide services within Metro Manila without diminishing the autonomy of the local government units concerning purely local matters.
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, thinks that it is time that a Davao version of the MMDA should be created to properly coordinate, if not unify, plans for infrastructure, security and disaster resiliency, waste disposal, and traffic in the Davao region's local government units while still enjoying independent local autonomy.
Under House Bill (HB) 8930, which the senator co-sponsored, a Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA) will be created. “Under the MDDA, cooperation and development will be strengthened among Davao Region cities: Davao, Panabo, Tagum, Samal, Digos, and Mati; municipalities of Carmen, Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalang, Maco, and Malita,” said Dela Rosa.
The former top cop from Davao said that the alignment of policies, projects, and programs under the MDDA will ensure unhampered growth of the entire region, and not only the region's major city.
"The creation of the MDDA will give rise to strong coordination in development planning in the region thereby assuring steadfast achievement of sustainable inclusive economic growth. Ultimately, this will redound to the benefit of our national economy," he said.
Dela Rosa noted that despite the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Statistics Authority ranked the entire Davao Region as the 5th highest per capita Gross Regional Domestic Product and Gross Regional Domestic Expenditure in 2020 out of the 17 regions across the country, improving its ranking from 6th in 2019.
If Davao establishes its MDDA, does that mean there will be motorcycle lanes in Davao's cities?
