President Ferdinand R. Marcos on Thursday expressed support for the establishment of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA), recognizing the body’s role in pushing for the special development in the administrative region.

The creation of the MDDA was discussed during a situation briefing with regional directors as part of the chief executive’s visit to Davao City.

The MDDA, created through Republic Act No. 11708 or the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority Act, is a special body mandated to coordinate and promote the socio-economic growth and sustainable development of Metropolitan Davao.

Among its services are development planning; transport management; solid waste disposal and management; flood control and sewerage management; urban renewal, zoning, land use planning and shelter services; health and sanitation and public safety.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Davao regional director Maria Lourdes Lim explained that MDDA is currently in its formative stages.

For the law to be implemented, the NEDA official noted that there are still three things needed: the implementing rules and regulations; the approval of plantilla for the human resource; and the budget.

During the meeting, Lim said the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has already approved the grant for the formulation of the 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 masterplan project for Metro Davao,” she said. | PND