President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has ordered Davao Region executives to speed up the convening of the Davao International Airport Authority Board to get various programs rolling.
Marcos made the directive during a meeting with Davao Region’s Regional Development Council (RDC) on Thursday, Oct. 27, Malacañang said.
Convening of the board, Marcos said, is crucial to operationalize programs aimed at addressing Davao’s urban challenges.
The finalization of its board, however, encountered delay partly because of the leadership transition.
Maria Lourdes Lim, regional director of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Office 11, said the establishment of the Metro Davao Development Authority (MDDA) will institutionalize the rapid organization of the Davao region through strategic and viable reforms, primarily towards regional cooperation.
Lim said they are awaiting feedback from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the approval of a plan to hire personnel.
She further said that the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) is already being drafted through the RDC and the location of the Metro Davao Development Council will be determined soon.
The good thing, Lim said, is that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) already approved the grant for the formulation of a master plan for Metropolitan Davao.
“In fact, next week we are expecting a survey team that will put together the work and the national plan for the master plan project for Metro Davao. So that is a grant sir from JICA,” she told the President.
Because of rapid urbanization, Davao’s local government units are facing challenges such as traffic congestion, solid waste management, as well as peace and security.