FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
/ 
S E N A T E  
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Mindanao, an island of cultural diversity, shelters more than nineteen (19) million 
people. Some twenty-seven (27) indigenous communities as well as migrants from the 
island of Luzon and the Visayas are situated in the island, distinguished by various 
religions namely Muslims, Christians and Lumads. The cultural diversity in Mindanao, 
otherwise being a hindrance, transpired as a foundation of its strength, remarkably 
causative to trade and commerce of the island within regions as well as the neighboring 
countries in Asia. 
Regardless of the inadequacy of infrastructure and equipment, the performance of 
agriculture has been the primary driving force of the economy of Mindanao. 
Furthermore, its fertile land and naturally rich resources has made the island the 
country's leading producer of major agri-industrial crops. The abundance of natural 
resources and the availability of competent labor force have made the island the 
window for business investments and employment opportunities. 
The strategic 
geographical location, in addition, bestowed Mindanao as an emerging favored tourist 
destination. 
The absence of an integrated development plan for Mindanao made it more 
indispensable to create an apparatus that shall compromise the regional campaign. The 
island needs an institution that shall effectively and efficiently render its mandate and 
provide leadership in motivating the progress and development that have been long the 
initiatives for the region. 
This bill proposes the creation of Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MEDA) 
that shall formulate an integrated and coordinative development framework for 
Mindanao pursuant to the state policy of providing sustainable economic development 
and programs that shall resolve socio-political issues through mitigating poverty and 


safeguarding peace and security in Mindanao. MEDA is envisioned to be the primary 
institution to sustain and intensify economic development in Mindanao. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought after. 
!J 
ClTO ESTRAD 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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S E N A T E  
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
CREATING THE MINDANAO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (MEDA), 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 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, by 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 be 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 furthermore undertake efforts to promote the active participation of 
Mindanao and Palawan in the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines - 
East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-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. 


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. Principa/ Office and Term. - The Authority shall have its main office in Davao 
City. It may establish area management offices (AMOS) as it may deem necessary to 
achieve the objectives of this Act. The Authority shall have a term of fifty (50) 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: 
Formulate an integrated development framework for Mindanao that is 
consistent with the peace initiatives of the national government; 
Integrate and 
prioritize Mindanao-wide, interregional 
and region 
specific programs, activities and projects with Mindanao-wide impact; 
Advocate to the constituents of Mindanao, their elected representatives in 
Congress, and the National Government, national policies that will foster 
integrated and balanced development of Mindanao; 
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; 
Explore sources for financing priority Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao 
specific interregional programs, projects and activities; 
Coordinate 
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; 
Establish a comprehensive and integrated databases on Mindanao and 
BIMP-EAGA necessary for planning and decision-making; 
Monitor, evaluate and formulate recommendations on the implementation 
of Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao-specific inter-regional development 
programs, activities and projects; 
Act as the implementing agency, whenever necessary, for the 
accomplishment of Mindanao-specific interregional or Mindanao-wide 
programs and projects, including Official Development Assistance (ODA) 
2 


projects, subject to such limitations prescribed by existing laws, rules, and 
regulations; 
Provide strategic direction for Mindanao; 
Oversee mega infrastructure programs and projects with Mindanao-wide 
impact such as the Mindanao Super Region Program; 
Establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure the timely implementation of 
Mindanao-wide and Mindanao-specific interregional projects, whenever 
necessary, including, but not limited to public-private partnership; 
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; 
Act as the official and permanent Philippine Coordinating Office for BIMP- 
EAGA (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; 
Represent and strengthen the participation of the Philippine focus areas 
for BIMP-EAGA which are Mindanao and Palawan; 
Closely coordinate with the private sector in all policy deliberations 
concerning BIMP-EAGA; 
Act as a data bank for BIMP-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; 
Initiate and coordinate the establishment of BIMP-EAGA desks in 
concerned national agencies, local government units and private 
enterprises; 
Undertake advocacy for the adoptionlapproval of new policies or policy 
changes and the promotion of initiatives for the growth of the BIMP-EAGA; 
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; 
Initiate and facilitate sourcing of technical and other forms of assistance to 
BIMP-EAGA projects initiatives; 
Monitor developments in the BIMP-EAGA and follow-through agreements 
entered into by the Philippine parties; 


Ensure efficient and effective technical and administrative support services 
for the Philippines' BIMP-EAGA operations and coordinate budgetary 
requirements for this purpose; 
Engage or invest on or enter into joint venture with Filipino and foreign 
investors in such Mindanao-wide and/or interregional projects as it may 
deem proper and necessary or contributory to the economic development 
of M indanao ; 
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; 
To sue and be sued, enter into contracts, acquire, purchase, hold, lease, 
transfer, dispose of property of any kind or nature necessary to carry out 
the purposes of this Act; 
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 office. He/she shall serve a term of six (6) years from the 
date of hidher appointment unless removed for cause. Hels he shall also be the 
Philippine Senior Official for BIMP-EAGA. He/she 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 implemented properly; 
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; 
(b) 
4 


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: 
Advocate the Authority's work for Mindanao among the various concerned 
sectors and stakeholders; 
Call on agency, group, individual member of the Board, local government 
unit, and host community to address issues and concerns relating 
implementation of major programs, projects and activities; 
Supervise the monitoring and timely implementation of Mindanao-wide 
and/or Mindanao-specific interregional programs, projects and activities; 
Endorse to the MEDA Advisory Board all policy recommendations, plans, 
programs, and projects for approval; 
Represent the MEDA Advisory Board in regular and Special Cabinet 
Meetings; 
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; 
Accept, in behalf of MEDA, donations, contribution, 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; 
Supervise administrative operations including disbursement of any fund of 
the MEDA subject to usual accounting and auditing procedures, and 
submit reports thereon; 
Execute and administer the policies and measures approved by the MEDA 
Advisory Board; 
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; 
Represent the Authority in all dealings with other offices, agencies, and 
instrumentalities of the Government and with all persons and entities, 
public or private; 
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; 
Perform such other functions that the MEDA Advisory Board may direct to 
carry out the provisions of this Act. 
5 


SEC 8. Executive Director. -An Executive Director shall be appointed by the President 
of the Philippines upon recommendation by the Chairperson. Helshe shall possess the 
requisite eligibilities for third (3rd) level career service position. He/she 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 shall be 
provided and approved, unless provided otherwise in this Act, by the MEDA Advisory 
Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board. It shall be composed of the following 
The MEDA Chairperson; 
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; 
The Chairperson of the House Committee on Mindanao Affairs; 
The Chairperson of the House Committee on BIMP-EAGA Affairs; 
The Vice President for Mindanao of the Union of Local Authorities of the 
Philippines (ULAP); 
The President of the Mindanao Confederation of Governors', City Mayors' 
and Municipal Mayors' League Presidents; 
The Administrator of the Southern Philippines Development Authority 
(SPDA); and, 
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 (NGO) Sector 
Members of the Board shall receive a per diem of not more than Five Thousand Pesos 
(P5,OOO) 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: 
6 


Provide direction and guidance for the Authority's work and thrusts for 
Mindanao ; 
Ensure that the goals and policies of the Authority are consistent with the 
overall national development goals and objectives; 
Ensure that the programs of the Authority are consistent with regional and 
local development plans, programs and projects, and vice versa for 
purposes of harmonization; 
Explore sources for financing of priority Mindanao-wide andlor Mindanao 
specific interregional plans, programs, projects and activities; 
Create committeesltask forces as may be deemed necessary in the 
accomplishments of its duties and functions; 
Determine schedules, establish voting procedures, criteria for the 
constitution of a quorum, and other rules and regulations in the conduct of 
Board meetings; and 
Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the 
purposes of this Act. 
SEC I O .  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 interregional representation and participation, 
the following shall comprise the ExeCom: 
(a) 
The MEDA Chairperson 
(b) 
(4 
( 4  
The Chairpersons of the RDCs and REDPB 
The Representative from the Mindanao Business Sector 
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 BIMP-EAGA 
Advisory Board to be composed of the following: 
(a) 
MEDA Chairperson as Head; 
7 


(b) 
Chairpersons of the RDCs of Regions IX, X, XI, XI1 and XIII, and REDPB 
of ARMM; 
City Mayor of Puerto Princesa: 
Provincial Governor of Palawan; and, 
Two Philippine Country Representatives to the BIMP-EAGA Business 
Council (BEBC). 
(4 
(d ) 
(e) 
The BIMP-EAGA Board shall convene from time to time to discuss issues and 
recommend policies and aid 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 
BIMP-EAGA Board, will draw up its own procedures for making recommendations, 
finalizing decisions and overseeing implementation 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 
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 Provisions. - 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. Appropriafions. - 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 current budget shall be 
S 


increased by One Hundred Percent (100%), which amount 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 after following 
completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
9