Go: Mindanao's tag as ‘’land of promise’’ is a ‘continuing call’

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said that the fulfillment of Mindanao as the ‘’land of promise’’ is a "continuing call".

Go, chairman of the Senate Health and Sports Committees, stressed this when took his oath last Thursday, Feb. 16 as an ex-officio member of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Board of Directors during the celebration of the agency’s 13th anniversary at the Acacia Hotel in Davao City.

The event was also attended by guest of honor Vice President Sara Duterte, who presided over Go’s oath-taking.

Likewise present were MinDA Chairperson Maria Belen Acosta; Executive Director Undersecretary Janet Lopoz; and Paul Dominguez, former Presidential Assistant for Mindanao and concurrent chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council, the precursor of MinDA.

As a Mindanao resident himself, Go said that the fulfillment of Mindanao as the “land of promise” is a continuing call and pledged to contribute to the region’s growth and development.

“The ‘land of promise’ is a continuing call,’’ Go stressed.

Go also praised former president Rodrigo Duterte, the first president of the Philippines to come from Mindanao, for his role in the region's development.

The senator, likewise, expressed confidence that Vice President Duterte would contribute greatly to Mindanao’s development, adding that she would not let Mindanao fall behind.

The event was also highlighted by the ceremonial unveiling of a marker installed on the 14th floor of the Pryce Tower in Davao City as a tribute to former President Duterte and Vice President Duterte-Carpio for their exemplary leadership and contributions to the development of Mindanao.

It also acknowledged former Department of Finance (DOF) secretary Carlos Dominguez III for his swift assistance in finding MinDA a new home.

MinDA, which was created through Republic Act (RA) No. 9996, or the Mindanao Development Authority Act of 2010, is mandated to “promote, coordinate and facilitate the active and extensive participation of all sectors to effect the socioeconomic development of Mindanao".

Previously, Go urged the government to carry out significant reforms in order to spur development in Mindanao.

“Mindanao and its people have suffered decades of injustice and social inequity,” he noted.

“The government must continuously strive to bring about the much needed reform and development in the Mindanao region and ensure just, inclusive and lasting peace in the area,” he said.

Go said he has been supportive of initiatives to boost development in the region.

In 2021, he authored and co-sponsored the measure creating the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority.

It seeks to address the growing needs of Davao City and nearby areas through the services which will be provided by the MDDA. These services include development planning, transport management, solid waste disposal and management, urban zoning, land use planning, shelter services, health and sanitation, as well as public safety.

Former president Duterte signed the measure into law on April 27 last year.