. .  
ofq:g5 :: 
-,.a: 
,j 
,,. ,,,.:,>; 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
SECOND REGULAR SESSION 
i 
SENATE 
.~ 
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A country is sometimes measured by its economic development. The progress of 
the economic sector contributes to the well-being of the nation and its citizens. As such, 
countries with progressive economies are able to manufacture social development 
programs that aim for the betterment of its citizens. 
The island of Mindanao, which is located within the East ASEAN region, is in the 
southernmost sector of the archipelago. Mindanao, a large island with vast mineral 
resources, contributes a lot to the export of raw resources and contributes for over 30 
percent of the national food trade. With Mindanao occupying a third of the total land area 
of the Philippines, it is an ideal port for economic development. With its strategic 
location amongst ASEAN nations, the location of Mindanao contributes a lot to the 
potential of a greater economic development of the nation. 
Given Mindanao’s ideal and strategic location to facilitate economic 
development, its potential is however, not actualized. There is a lack of industrial 
progress in the island. The developments being made were done regionally. Regional 
emphasis of developments however does not constitute the overall progress of Mindanao. 
In addition, regional developments and potential developments tend to be concentrated on 
certain provinces or districts, thus, creating inequality in terms of recognition and 
economic development. 
There is no known development plan for the whole of Mindanao. As stated 
before, improvements and developments tend to be concentrated only on certain regions. 
But with the passage of this bill, the creation of the Mindanao Economic Development 
Authority, the planning and development of the whole of Mindanao will be undertaken 
for the country’s progress. This agency will oversee the general development of the 
island and will create a framework that will facilitate the peace process and promote 
investments that would aid in augmenting the lives of its populace. 
In view of the foregoing, the urgent enactment of this bill is called for. 


<J{+i! 
,-:. 
%., 
i s ;  
I.. I .  
' " ' , I  
,~ . 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PJBLIPPINES 
) 
SECOND REGULAR SESSION 
1 
9 MRY 19 FJ2:50 
SENATE 
Introduced hy Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE MINDANAO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 
(MEDA), DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND PROVIDING 
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enabled by the Senate and the House ofRepresentatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled 
SEC. 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Mindanao Economic 
Development Authority (MEDA) Act of 2009." 
SEC. 2. Declaration .of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to 
accelerate the socio-economic growth and development of Mindanao, hy encouraging 
and increasing trade, tourism and investments, encouraging private enterprise, and 
advancing efforts towards peace and development. Towards this end, an effective 
institutional mechanism shall he established to address the need for a coordinative and 
integrative approach for the formulation and implementation of various Mindanao-wide, 
Mindanao-specific interregional development plans, programs and projects. The 
government shall hrhermore undertake efforts to promote the active participation of 
Mindanao and Palawan in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia--Malaysia-the Philippines - 
East ASEAN Growth Area (BW-EAGA). 
SEC. 3. Creation of the Mindanao Economic Development Authority. - The 
Mindanao Economic Development Authority, hereinafter referred to as the Authority, is 
hereby created which shall promote, coordinate, and facilitate the active and extensive 
participation of all sectors to effect the socio-economic development of Mindanao. It 
shall also act as an implementing agency for Mindanao-specific interregional and 
Mindanao-wide programs and projects, whenever necessary. 
1 


SEC. 4. Coverage. - The Authority shall cover all the provinces and cities of 
Regions IX, X, XI, XII, Caraga and Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). 
SEC. 5. Principal Office and Term. - The Authority shall have its main office at 
Davao City. It may establish area management offices (AMOS) as it may deem necessary 
to achieve the objectives of this Act. The Authority shaU have a term of fifty (SO) years 
from the effectivity of this Act and renewable for the same period unless otherwise 
provided by law. 
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions of MEDA. - in the exercise of those activities 
which are Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao-specific in character, the Authority shall 
have the following powers and functions: 
(a) Formulate an integrated development framework for Mindanao that is 
consistent with the peace initiatives of the national government; 
(b) Integrate, prioritize and program Mindanao-wide, interregional and regions 
specific programs, activities and projects with Mindanao-wide impact; 
(c) Advocate to the constituents of Mindanao, their elected representatives in 
Congress, and the National Government, national policies that will foster the integrated 
and balanced development of Mindanao; 
(d) Promote and facilitate investments in any field which would enhance the 
socio-economic development of Mindanao and uplift the living standards of the people 
and their socio-political activities in close coordination with agencies primarily mandated 
to undertake such function; 
(e) Explore sources for financing priority Mindanao-wide andar Mindanao- 
specific interregional programs, projects and activities; 
(QCoordmate and facilitate the extension of necessary planning, management, and 
technical assistance to prospective and existing investors, complementary and in support 
of agencies primarily mandated to execute such functions; 
(g) Establish comprehensive and integrated databases on Mindanao and BIMP- 
EAGA necessary for planning and decision-making; 
(h) Monitor, evaluate and formulate recommendations on the implementation of 
Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao-specific inter-regional development programs, 
activities and projects; 
(i) Act as the implementing agency, whenever necessary, for the accomplishment 
of Mindanao-specific interregional or Mindanao-wide programs and projects, including 
OfGcial Development Assistance (ODA) projects, subject to such limitations prescribed 
by existing laws, rules, and regulations; 
2 


(i) Provide strategic direction for Mindanao; 
(k) Oversee mega infrastructure programs and projects with Mindanao-wide 
impact such as the Mindanao Super Region Program; 
(1) Establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure the timely implementation of 
Mindanao-wide and Mindanao-specific interregional projects, whenever necessary, 
including, but not limited to publioprivate partnership; 
(m) Review and recommend for approval by the NEDA Board such Mindanao- 
wide and Mindanao-specific inter-regional programs, projects, and plans by the national 
government and donor agencies subject to existing laws, rules and regulations; 
(n) Act as the official and permanent Philippine Coordinating Office for 
BIMPEAGA (PCOBE) and as lead agency of the government in coordinating the 
formulation and implementation of policies and programs and monitoring of all activities 
related thereto; 
(0) Represent and strengthen the participation of the Philippine focus areas for 
BIMP-EAGA which are Mindanao and Palawan; 
(p) Closely coordinate with the private sector in all policy deliberations 
concerning BIMP-EAGA, 
(9) Act as a data bank for BIWIP-EAGA and other related data by collecting, 
consolidating and processing data and analyzing the resulting information and thereafter 
disseminating the information gathered to various groups; 
(r) Initiate and coordinate the establishment of BIMP-EAGA desks in concerned 
national agencies, local government units and private enterprises; 
(s) Undertake advocacy for the adoptioniapproval of new policies or policy 
changes and the promotion of initiatives for the growth of the BIMP-EAGA; 
(t) Formulate and develop new plans and/or programs for the Philippine 
participation in the BIMP-EAGA based on the consensus of the BIMP-EAGA Clusters 
and Working Groups, and/or Heads of State, Signing Ministers and Senior Officials; 
(u) Initiate and facilitate sourcing of technical and other forms of assistance to 
BIMP-EAGA projectshitiatives; 
(v) Monitor developments in the BIMP-EAGA and follow-through agreements 
entered into by the Philippine parties; 
(w) Ensure efficient and effective technical and administrative support services 
for the Philippines’ BIMP-EAGA operations and coordinate budgetary reqnirements for 
this purpose; 
(x) Engage or invest on or enter into joint venture with Filipino and foreign 
investors in such Mmdanao-wide and/or interregional projects as it may deem proper and 
necessary or contributory to the economic development of Miidanao; 
3 


(y) Receive and administer donations, contributions, grants, bequest or gifts in 
cash or in kind from foreign governments, international agencies, private entities, and 
other sources, including Official Development Assistance (ODA) agencies, for purposes 
that would contribute to the development of Mindanao, subject to existing laws, rules and 
regulations; 
(z) To sue and be sued, enter into contracts, acquire, purchase, hold, lease, 
transfer, and dispose of property of any kind or nature necessary to carry out the purposes 
of this Act; 
(aa) Discharge other functions which may be deemed necessary or as may be 
provided by law. 
The Authority, through the MEDA Chairperson, shall submit to the President and 
both Houses of Congress annual reports on its accomplishments and activities. 
SEC. 7. Chairperson. - The MEDA Chairperson, hereinafter referred to as the 
Chairperson, shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines with a cabinet rank 
and shall act as the Head of oftice. He/she shall serve a term of six (6) years from the date 
of his appointment unless removed for cause. He/she shall also be the Philippine Senior 
Official for BIMP-EAGA. Hekhe shall likewise be a member of the National Economic 
Development Authority (NEDA) Board. 
The Chairperson shall have the following duties and functions: 
(a) Call and preside at the meetings of the MEDA Advisory Board and see to it 
that the policies, programs, and rules and regulations developed and promulgated by it 
are iiiipleinented properly; 
(b) Call on development players in the formulation and implementation of a 
comprehensive and integrated development plan for Mindanao, investment programs 
including the preparation of a system of investment programming priorities, annual 
reports and other pertinent documents approved by MEDA; 
(c) Identify solutions to key issues and concerns taking into account related risks, 
affected parties and impact, in coordination with the Board and key stakeholders, 
whenever necessary; 
(d) Advocate the Authority’s work for Mindanao among the various concerned 
sectors and stakeholders; 
(e) Call on any agency, group, individual member of the Board, local government 
unit, and host community to address issues and concerns relating to implementation of 
major programs, projects and activities; 
4 


(0 Supervise the monitoring and timely implementation of Mindanao-wide andor 
Mindanao-specific inter-regional programs, projects and activities; 
(g) Endorse to the MEDA Advisory Board all policy recommendations, plans, 
programs, and projects for approval; 
(h) Represent the MEDA Advisory Board in regular and Special Cabinet 
Meetings; 
(i) Convene the BIMP-EAGA Advisory Board to discuss issues and concerns, and 
recommend policies and programs to ensure the widest participation of Mindanao and 
Palawan in BIMP-EAGA; 
6) Accept, in behalf of MEDA, donations, contributions, grants and bequests or 
gifts, in cash or in kind, from members, foreign governments, international offices, 
private entities or any individual for purposes that will realize the functions of the 
Authority; 
(k) Supervise administrative operations including disbursement of any fund of the 
MEDA subject to usual accounting and auditing procedures, and submit reports thereon; 
(I) Execute and administer the policies and measures approved by the MEDA 
Advisory Boar& 
(m) Appoint all employees of the Authority, and remove, dismiss or otherwise 
discipline for cause, such employees in accordance with the standard guidelines for 
recruitment, employment, and discipline in the Civil Service Code; 
(n) Represent the Authority in all dealings with other offices, agencies, and 
instrumentalities of the Government and with all persons and entities, public or private; 
(0) Sign agreements and/or contracts in behalf of the Authority, including those 
for expert and consultant services and other reports of accountabilities emanating from 
the Authority; 
(p) Perform such other functions that the MEDA Advisory Board may direct to 
carry out the provisions of this Act 
SEC. 8. Executive Director - An Executive Director shall be appointed by the 
President of the Philippines upon recommendation by the Chairperson. He/she shall 
possess the requisite eligibilities for third (3rd) level career service position. Hehhe shall 
assist the Chairperson in carrying out the functions of Authority and shall likewise serve 
as the Secretary of the MEDA Advisory Board. 
SEC. 9. MEDA Advisory Board. - The Authority’s overall directions and 
thrusts shail be provided and approved, unless provided othenvjse in this Act, by the 
MEDA Advisory Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board. It shall be composed of the 
following members: 
5 


(a) The MEDA Chairperson; 
(b) The Chairpersons of the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) of Regions 
IX, X, XI, XI1 and XIII, and the Regional Economic Development and Planning Board 
(REDPB) of ARMM, 
(c) The Chairperson of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs; 
(d) The Chairperson of the House Committee on BIMP-EAGA Affairs; 
(e) The Vice President for Mindanao of the Union of Local Authorities of the 
Philippines (ULAP); 
(f) The President of the Mindanao Confederation of Governors’, City Mayors’ 
and Municipal Mayors’ League Presidents; 
(g) The Administrator of the Southern Philippines Development Authority 
(SPDA); and, 
(h) The three (3) representatives from the Private Sector to be appointed by the 
President, upon the recommendation of the Chairperson and Board members, comprising 
of one representative each from the: 
i. Mindanao Business Sector 
ii. Mindanao Academe Sector 
iii. Mindanao Non-Government Organization @GO) Sector 
Members of the Board shall receive a per diem of not more than Five Thousand 
Pesos (P5, 000.00) for every board meeting: Provided, however, that the per diem 
collected per month does not exceed the equivalent of four (4) meetings. Provided, 
further, that the amount of per diem for every board meeting may be increased by the 
President but such amount shall not be increased within two (2) years after its last 
increase. 
The Board shall have the following functions: 
(a) Provide direction and guidance for the Authority’s work and thrusts for 
Mindanao; 
(b) Ensure that the goals and policies of the Authority are consistent with the 
overall national development goals and objectives; 
(c) Ensure that the programs of the Authority are consistent with regional and 
local development plans, program and projects, and vice versa for purposes of 
harmonization; 
(d) Explore sources for financing of priority Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao- 
specific inter-regional plans, programs, projects and activities; 
(e) Create committees/task forces as may be deemed necessary in the 
accomplishments of its duties and fiinctions; 
(f) Determine schedules, establish voting procedures, criteria for the constitution 
of a quorum, and other d e s  and regulations in the conduct of Board meetings; and 
6 


(g) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of 
this Act. 
SEC.10. Executive Committee. - The Board shall constitute an Executive 
Committee, hereinafter referred to as the ExeCom, from among its membership to act, for 
and on its behalf when the Board is not in session, on urgent matters as may be deemed 
necessary by the Chairperson. To ensure inter-regional representation and participation, 
the following shall comprise the Execom: 
(a) The MEDA Chairperson 
(b) The Chairpersons of the RDCs and REDPB 
(c) The Representative from the Mindanao Business Sector 
(d) The Representative from the Mindanao Non-Government Organization (NGO) 
Sector 
The Executive Director, as the Board Secretary, shall provide technical assistance 
to the ExeCom. 
SEC. 11. BIMP-EAGA Advisory Board. - There is hereby constituted a 
BIMPEAGA Advisory Board to be composed of the following: 
(a) MEDA Chairperson as Head; 
(b) Chairpersons of the RDCs of Regions IX, X, XI, XI1 and XIII, and REDPB of 
-9 
(c) City Mayor of Puerto Princesa; 
(d) Provincial Governor of Palawan; and, 
(e) Two Philippine Country Representatives to the BIMP-EAGA Business 
Council (BEBC). 
The BIMP-EAGA Board shall convene, from time to time, to discuss issues and 
recommend policies and programs to ensure the widest participation of Mindanao and 
Palawan in the activities of BIMP-EAGA. It shall make recommendations to the 
Chairperson, being the Head of the PCOBE. The PCOBE, in consultation with the BIIWP- 
EAGA Board, will draw up its own procedures for making recommendations, finalizing 
decisions and overseeing iinplementation of BIMP-EAGA activities in Mindanao and 
Palawan. 
SEC. 12. Organizational Structure. - The Chairperson shall determine the 
organizational structure, staffing pattern, and pay scales of the Authority subject to 
existing civil service and compensation laws. The Chairperson may reorganize the 
7 


Authority and may create or abolish divisions, units, or branches therein as the exigencies 
of the affairs of the Authority may require. 
SEC. 13. Transitory Provision - The Mindanao Economic Development 
Council (MEDCo), created under Executive Order 512, and Executive Order 244, as 
amended, is hereby abolished. 
The unexpended appropriations of the abovementioned agency are hereby 
transferred to MEDA including its existing records, properties, equipment, facilities and 
other assets. 
The MEDA shall absorb the existing plantilla positions and incumbent staff of 
MEDCo who shall continue to perform their respective duties and responsibilities and 
receive the corresponding salaries and benefits, in the fulfillment of the powers and 
functions of MEDA. 
SEC. 14. Appropriations - The amount necessary to finance the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriations of 
the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo). Thereafter, the budget for 
MEDA shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) for its 
continued implementation. 
The current appropriations of MEDCo shall be transferred to the Mindanao 
Economic Development Authority to commence its activities. 
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 16. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held 
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions thereof, which are not affected, shall 
continue to remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
8