The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) held its first board meeting last Thursday in Davao City, focusing its discussion on its Implementing rules and regulations (IRR), the Mindanao 2020 peace and development framework and other top Mindanao concerns, like the looming power crisis in the vast island region.
MinDA chair, Secretary Lualhati Antonino, earlier presided over the oath taking of the members of the board.
Among those present were Senator Miguel Zubiri; Congressman Arnulfo Go of Sultan Kudarat, chair of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs; Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, concurrent president of Confed Mindanao; Regional Development Council (RDC) chair for Region 11 – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio; RDC-12 chair General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio; Iligan City RDC 9 – Iligan City Mayor Lawrence Cruz; RDC 10 – Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy; Jake Miranda, private sector representative (business sector); Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) administrator Sultan Yahya Jerry Tomawis, and Regional Economic Development and Planning Board (REDPB) chair of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, Governor Ansaruddin Adiong.
RA 9996 prescribes that the MinDA Board shall be composed of chairpersons of the RDCs, the REDPB of the ARMM, a senator, the chairman of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs, the chairperson of the House Committee on BIMP-EAGA Affairs, a local chief executive who shall be designated by the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), the president of the Confederation (Confed) of Governors, city mayors and municipal mayors league presidents, the administrator of SPDA, the head of the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA), and three representatives from the private sector to be appointed by the President, upon recommendation of the Board, comprising of one representative each from the Mindanao business, academic and non-government organization sectors.
In a press conference before the board meeting, Antonio said it is “important that the Board discuss MinDA’s IRR because this is necessary in carrying out the functions prescribed by Republic Act 9996 or the MinDA law.”
She said MinDA still operates on the Mindanao Economic and Development Council (Medco) budget of P56 million with the existing manpower complement. The MinDA office by law will have a budget double that of Medco or P100 million, she said. [PNA]
