Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, RECEIVED
Quezon City, Metro Manila pare 22 AUG 2025

‘TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3902

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Metro Cebu enjoys sustained economic growth and development, as it continues its post
pandemic upward trajectory. The Cebuano spitit of entrepreneurship, commerce and community
has been central in the prosperity and growth of Cebu. However, an unintended, though natural,
consequence of the aforementioned progress is the agpravation of age-old problems from traffic
to waste management which has had detrimental effects on the people of Cebu regardless of which
LGU they belong to. In view thereof, there is a need for the establishment of a body for the
purposes of policy collaboration and coordination in the further development of Metro Cebu

grounded on the principle of shared responsibility.

In 1995, with the passage of Republic Act No. 7924, Metro Manila was declared as a
“special development and administrative region” and the Administration of “metro-wide” basic
services affecting the region placed under a “development authority” referred to as the
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (“MMDA”). It performs seven basic metro-wide
services in 12 cities and 5 municipalities in Metro Manila: (1) development planning; (2) Transport
and traffic management; (3) Solid waste disposal and management; (4) Flood control and sewerage

management; (5) Urban renewal, zoning and land use planning, and shelter services; (6) Health

and sanitation, urban protection and pollution control; and (7) Public safety.

‘The creation of the MMDA has benefitted the 12 cities and five municipalities of Metro

Manila by the streamlining of services which have a metro-wide impact that transcends I


political boundaries or entails huge expenditures and it would not be viable if the service is to be
provided by the individual LGU.

With the aspiration of a Metro Cebu thatis more streamlined in promoting and developing,
shared assets among neighboring cities and municipalities, alignment of policies pertaining to
traffic and the consolidation of solid waste management procedures, among other services. Several
stakeholders from the public and private sectors acknowledged the need to establish a
development authority in order to adequately address the problems that arise and are experienced

by the neighboring local government units, while guiding the further development of Metro Cebu

‘The establishment of a Metropolitan Cebu Development Authority (“MCDA”) will ensure
that there is proper coordination and collaboration in the creation of unified policy, in providing
services to constituents and constituent local government units, development planning, the
promotion of tourism, among other initiatives. Moreover, the MCDA shall further act as a
coordinating body between national government agencies (NGAs), government-owned and
controlled agencies (GOCC3), civil society, and the private sector in order to achieve its goals of

sustainable development for Metro Cebu as a whole.

‘The creation of the MCDA represents a tangible and meaningful significance for the furure

of our province. With this, the immediate passage of this bill is most earnestly sought.

a

REP. EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.
2° District, City of Cebu


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

3902

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative EDUARDO R. RAMA JR.

AN ACT
CREATING THE METROPOLITAN CEBU DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(MCDA), PRESCRIBING ITS FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES AND PROVIDING
FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - ‘This Act shall be known as the "Metropolitan Cebu
Development Authority Act"

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — ‘The State recognizes the need to provide an
efficient and expeditious delivery of basic services within Metropolitan Cebu. It is hereby the

declared policy of the state to promote and accelerate the sustainable development and balanced

growth of Cebu through the increased coordination and streamlining of basic services between

the highly urbanized cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, the component cities of Talisay,
Danao, Naga and Carcar and the other neighboring cities and municipalities of the Province of

Cebu.

Itis likewise hereby declared to be the policy of the State to treat Metropolitan Cebu and

the Province of Cebu as a special development and administrative region, delineating specific basic
metro-wide services affecting Metropolitan Cebu and delegating the exercise of regulatory and
supervisory authority over the same to the Metropolitan Cebu Development Authority
(“MCDA”). The MCDA shall perform planning, monitoring, and coordinating functions without

prejudice to the local autonomy of the affected Local Government Units (“LGUs”)


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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a) Metro-mide services refers to those services which have metro-wide impact and transcend
local political boundaries or entail huge expenditures as such that it would not be viable
for said services to be provided by the individual LGU comprising Metropolitan Cebu.
‘There are seven (7) basic metro-wide services:

i Development planning;

ii, ‘Transport and traffic management;
iii, Solid waste disposal and managements

iv. Flood control and sewerage management;

v. Urban renewal, zoning and land use planning, and shelter services;
vi. Health and sanitation, urban protection and pollution control; and

vii. Public safety.

b) Metropolitan Cebu Area refers to the highly urbanized cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and
Lapu-Lapu, the component cities of ‘Talisay, Danao, Naga, and Carcar, and the
municipalities of Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Cordova, Minglanilla, and San

Fernando.

SECTION 4. Creation of the Metropolitan Cebu Development Authority. A special
development and administrative body to be known as the Metropolitan Cebu Development
Authority, hereinafter referred to as the “MCDA” which shall be organized within thirty (30)
days after the approval of this Act, to be charged with the administration of metro-wide services
and to coordinate, streamline, and promote the economic growth and sustainable development

of Metropolitan Cebu.

‘The MCDA shall execute the powers and functions hereinafter provided for under this
Act, with the goal of promoting collaboration and coordination with the LGUs for the further
growth and development of Metropolitan Cebu. ‘The MCDA shall, in all instances, act within its
scope of authority as vested in this Act and shall in no way unduly diminish the autonomy of the

LGUs about purely local matters.

SECTION 5. Jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Cebu Development Authorit

MCDA shall have administrative jurisdiction over the metro-wide affairs of Metropolitan Cebu

which includes the following LGUs:

a) The highly urbanized cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapus


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b) ‘The component cities of Talisay, Danao, Naga, and Carcar;

c) The municipalities of Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Cordova, Minglanilla, and San

Fernando: and

d) Such other cities and municipalities to be included in the future, subject to the

requirements provided by legislative enactment.

SECTION 6. Scope of Services of the Metropolitan Cebu Development Authority.- With

approval of the Chief Executive of the LGUs concerned and in coordination with the appropriate
governmentagencies, the scope of the services of the MCDA shall cover those which have metro-
wide impact and will entail huge expenditures to be provided by the individual LGUs. These

services shall include:

a) Development planning, which includes preparing medium-and long-term development
plans; developing, evaluating and packaging of projects; Investments programming; and
coordinating and monitoring plans, program and project implementations;

b) ‘Transport and traffic management, which includes the formulation, coordination,
implementation and monitoring of policies, standards, plans, programs and projects,
including its implementation and its integration with land use, rationalization of the
existing transport operations, infrastructure requirements, and use of thoroughfares;
promotion of safe and convenient movement of persons and goods; provision for and
maintenance of mass transport system, road infrastructure, and institution of a people
centered network of mobility, including pedestrianization and non-motorized forms of
transport, as well as a system to regulate road users; and the administration and
implementation of traffic enforcement operations, traffic engineering services, and traffic
education programs, including the institution of a single ticketing system;

©) Solid waste disposal and management, which includes the formulation,
implementation, and evaluation of policies, standards, plans, programs, and projects for
proper and sanitary waste disposal; the establishment and operation of sanitary landfill
and related facilities; the establishment and operation of alternative waste management
facilities; and the implementation of appropriate programs, projects, and services

intended to manage, dispose, reduce, reuse, and recycle solid waste.

‘The MCDA shall ensure the uniform, proper, and streamlined process of segregation,

collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal of solid waste between the LGUs in


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shall exercise the following functions:

accordance with the Solid Waste Management Act. Further, the MCDA shall establish an
MCDA incinerator for the purpose of burning the solid waste collected from the LGUs.

d) Flood mitigation and sewerage management, which include formulating,
implementing, and monitoring policies, standards, programs, and projects for an

integrated flood control, drainage, and sewerage system;

©) Disaster risk reduction and = management, which _ includes __the
formulation, Implementation, and review of plans, programs, projects, policies,
standards, and procedures to achieve public safety, especially preparedness for preventive
or rescue operations during times of calamities and disasters such as earthquakes and
storms; management of information; coordination and mobilization of resources; and

recovery, rehabilitation, and relief operations.

f) Urban renewal, zoning, land use planning, and shelter services, which include

formulating, adopting and implementing policies, standards, rules, and regulations,
programs, and projects to rationalize and optimize urban land use and provide direction
to urban growth and expansion, rehabilitating and developing slums and blighted areas,

developing shelter and housing facilities, and providing necessary social services thereof

Ith and sanitation, urban protection, and pollution control, which include
Health and sanitation, urban ion, and polluti 1, which includ
formulating implementing, and assessing policies, rules and regulations, standards,
programs, and projects for promoting and safeguarding health and sanitation to enhance

ecological balance and prevent, control, and abate environmental pollution; and

h) Public safety, which includes formulating, implementing, and monitoring programs,
policies and procedure to achieve public safety, especially preparedness for preventive or
rescue operations during times of calamity and disaster such as conflagration,
earthquakes, flood, and coordinating and mobilizing resources and implementing
contingency plans for rehabilitation and relief operations in coordination with national

agencies concerned.

SECTION 7. Functions of the Metropolitan Cebu Development Authority.- The MCD.



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b)

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(MCDC) which shall be comprised of the governor of the Province of Cebu, and the mayors of the C

Coordinate, regulate and monitor the short, medium, and long-term plans, policies, and
programs for the sustainable development and integration of the Metropolitan Cebu area
and the Province of Cebu.

Coordinate, evaluate, and monitor policies concerning traffic, waste management, and
public safety and security for Metropolitan Cebu and coordinate, regulate, and enforce the
implementation of these programs and projects with concerned national government

agencies and LGUs:

Implement and manage metropolitan-wide programs and projects for the delivery of
specific services under its jurisdiction, subject to the approval to the Metropolitan Cebu

Development Council;

Review and recommend to the Metropolitan Cebu Development Council policies
regarding development permits for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes and
other major land development that have metropolitan-wide impact on transportation and

traffic, proposed to be implemented by or in the LGUs within Metropolitan Cebu;

Monitor the implementation of metropolitan-wide programs and projects and identify

implementation issues and appropriate solutions to address them;

Install and administer a single ticketing system, fix, impose, and collect fines and penalties
for all kinds of violations of traffic rules and regulations, whether moving or non-moving
in nature, and confiscate and suspend or revoke driver's licenses in the enforcement of

such traffic laws and regulations; and

Prescribe and collect services and regulatory fees, and impose and collect fines and

penalties; and

Perform other functions, subject to approval by the Metropolitan Cebu Development

Council

SECTION 8. Metropolitan Cebu Development Council (MCDC).- ‘the governing board

and the policy-making body of the MCDA shall be the Metropolitan Cebu Development Council

0s of

Cebu, Mandane, Lapu-Lapn, Talisayand the cities and municipalities enumerated in Section 5 hereof.


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‘The Chairperson of the MCDC shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines from a

selection of nominees submitted by the Council and shall serve for a term of three (3) years.

“The heads of the following Cebu regional offices of national government agencies shall
attend all meetings of the Council as non-voting members: National Economic and Development
Authority (NEDA); Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD);
Department of Public Works and Highways (OPWH), Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department
of Health (DOH); Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT),
Department of Energy (DoF), Department of Tourism (Do'l), Department of ‘Transportation
(Do's); Land ‘Transaction Office (L'TO), and Philippine National Police (PNP).

SECTION 9. Functions of the Metropolitan Cebu Development Council- The MCDC

shall perform the following functions and powers:

a) Approve plans, programs, and projects after consultation and coordination with relevant
stakeholders, and issue rules and regulations deemed necessary by the MCDA to carry

out the purposes of this Acts

b) Subject to pertinent laws, policies, rules and regulations, increase the rate of allowances
and per diems of the members of the Council to be effective during the term of the
succeeding Council; fix the compensation of the officers and personnel of the MCDA in
accordance with the Salary Standardization Law; and approve the annual budget of the
MCDA for submission to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM);

©) Recommend investment programming for its plans and programs, as well as supervise
the implementation of plans and programs which includes the formulation and

coordination of its related activities;

4) Promulgate rules and regulations and set policies and standards for application governing
the delivery of basic services, prescribe and collect service and regulatory fees, and impose

and collect fines and penalties;
©) Endorse the annual as well as the supplemental budgets of the MCDA; and

) Perform such other acts and assume such other functions as may be necessary to carry

out the provisions of this Act.


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SECTION 10. Functions of the Chairperson of the Council The Chairperson of the

Council, herein referred to as the Chairperson, shall exercise the following functions:

a) Appoint, subject to civil service laws, rules and regulations, all subordinate officers
and employees, who shall enjoy security of tenure and may be removed only for cause in
accordance with law. ‘The Chairperson is authorized to engage the services of expert or
consultants either on full time or part-time basis, as may be required in the performance
of the Chaiperson’s functions and duties;

b) Execute the policies and measures approved by the Council and be responsible for the

efficient and effective day-to-day management of the operations of the MCD.

©) Prepare the annual budget for the operations of the MCDA for the submission to the
Council:

d) Submit for consideration of the Council such other duties and measures as the chairperson
may deem necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act;

©) Subject to the guidelines and policies set by the Council, prepare the staffing pattern and
fix the number of subordinate officials and employees of the MCDA in accordance with
Civil Service laws, rules and regulations, and evaluation and approval of the DBM and
exercise the power to discipline subordinate officials and employees under the provisions
of law;

£) Prepare an annual report on the accomplishment of the MCDA at the close of each
calendar year for submission to the Council and to the President of the Philippines: and

g) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the President of the Philippines or by

the Council.

‘The Chairperson, as head of MCDA, shall be assisted by a General Manager, Assistant
General Manager for Finance and Administration, Assistant General Manager for Planning, and
Assistant General Manager for Operations, all of whom shall be appointed by the President of the
Philippines, and upon the recommendation of the majority of the Council, subject to civil service

Jaws, rules and regulation.

SECTION 11. Functions of the General Manager. - ‘The Gencral Manager of the MCDA

shall have the following functions:


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a) Assist the Chairperson in the administration of the MCDA and supervision of
subordinate personnel;

b) Assist the Chairperson in the review of plans and programs for the MCDA and for
Metropolitan Cebu in the preparation of the annual report of activities and
accomplishments of the MCDA; and

©) Perform such other duties and functions as may be lawfully delegated or assigned by the

Chairperson from time to time

SECTION 12. Functions of the Assistant General Manager for Finance and

Administration. The Assistant General Manager for Finance and Administration shall perform

the following functions:

a) Determine the financial and administrative requirements of the Authority for the metro-

wide services including sourcing and allocation of funds;

b) Conduct a continuing financial and management analysis of the integration of metro-wide

services; and

©) Plan and provide services relative to supply, general services, legal, human resource
management and development, accounting, fiscal planning, treasury and budget and such

other related services.

d) Perform such other duties as are incidental or related to the above functions of as may be

assigned from time to time

SECTION 13. Functions of the Assistant General Manager for Planning. -The Assistant

General Manager for Planning shall perform the following functions:

a) Formulate development plans, and land use and zoning plans geared toward the organized

socio-economic and physical development of the Metropolitan Cebu;

b) Monitor the implementation and financing of development plans, programs and projects

in Metropolitan Cebu;

©) Plan and program-wide projects and activities included in the Metropolitan Development

Plan, and formulate appropriate performance indicators to assess attainment of

development targets; and
d) Conduct research, surveys and other studies in support of policy and program formulation;

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©) Perform such other duties as are incidental or related to the above functions or as may be

assigned from time to time.

SECTION 14. Functions of the Assistant General Manager for Operations.- ‘The

Assistant General Manager for Operations shall perform the following functions:

a) Establish a mechanism for coordinating and operationalizing the delivery of metro-wide
basic services;

b) Maintain a monitoring system for the effective evaluation of the implementation of
approved policies, plans and programs for the development of Metropolitan Cebu;

c) Mobilize the participation of local government units, executive departments or agencies of
the national government, and the private sector in the delivery of metro-wide services; and

d) Operate a central communication system.

€) Perform such other duties as are incidental or related to the above functions or as may be

assigned from time to time.

SECTION 15. Institutional Linkages. The MCDA shall, in order to aid the
implementation and delivery of basic metro-wide services, establish institutional linkages and
relations with appropriate government agencies and units and the private sector at the local,
regional, national, and international levels concerning matters relevant to its mandate for the

development of the Metropolitan Cebu arca.

In carrying out its functions, the MCDA shall consult, coordinate and work closely with
the LGUs, the national government agencies, accredited people's organizations (POs), Non-

governmental organizations (NGOs), civil socicty organizations, and the private sector operating

in the Metropolitan Cebu area

In order to streamline and integrate the policies and programs undertaken in Metropolitan
Cebu, the MCDA shall submit their Council's approved development plans, investment programs
and projects for integration to the parties affected, including the LGUs, NGAs, GOCCs and other

relevant organizations where appropriate.

‘Vhe LGUs, NGAs and GOCCs shall also submit their approved development plans,
investment programs and projects to the MCDA for integration. For this purpose , the MCDA
may enter into contracts or memoranda of agreement, and other cooperative arrangements with

these entities for the delivery of the required services with Metropolitan Cebu.

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‘The MCDA shall, in coordination with the NEDA and the Department of Finance
(DoF), interface with foreign assistance agencies for the purpose of obtaining financing support,

grants and donations in support of its programs and projects.

SECTION 16. Sources of Funds and Operating budget of the MCDA.- For its initial
operations, in order to properly carry out the mandate of this Act, an amount necessary for the
operations shall be appropriated by the National Government for the MCDA through the General
Appropriations Act.

‘Thereafter, the annual expenditures, including but not limited to - capital expenditures,
maintenance expenses, organizational expenses, operating expenses, personnel expenses including,
capital outlays. shall be provided for in the General Appropriations Act as a Special Development

Authority Under the Office of the President.

‘The operations of the MCDA shall likewise be supported through:

a) Financial contributions of LGUs,

, the base and percentage of which shall be agreed and

voted upon by the members of the MCDC. ‘The manner of voting shall be provided in

the implementing rules and regulations of this Act, in consultation with member LGUs;

b) Financial contributions or technical assistance from NGAs, GOCCs and the private
sector, and other local and international organizations in the form of grants, donations,

contributions, payments, penalties, fees and charges;

In case of grants, in cash or in kind, from foreign governments or their agencies and
instrumentalities, or multilateral institutions or organizations, acceptance thereof shall be subject
to prior clearance and approval of the Council and the Office of the President of the Philippines

or the authorized representative, based on the recommendation of the Secretary of Finance.

In case of donations, in cash or in kind, from foreign governments, acceptance thereof shall
require prior clearance and approval by the Council and the President of the Philippines, or the

authorized represcntative based on the recommendation of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

‘The MCDA is likewise empowered to levy fines, and impose fecs and charges for various

services rendered.

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SECTION 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- Within six (6) months after the
approval of this Act, the MCDA shall promulgate its Implementing Rules and Regulations

covering the following:

a) Setting policies and standards of the provision and delivery of its services enumerated in

Section 6 of this Act;
b) Formulating guidelines on the collection of fees, the imposition of fines and penalties;

©) Enacting regulations on term limits and vacancies in the MCDC, as well as on the

computation and allocation of allowances in the MCDC; and

d) Outlining equitable guidelines for determining the budgetary contributions of LGUs as
stated in Section 16 of this Act, taking into consideration, among others, the size of the

LGU, LGU income, and population.

SECTION 18. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions not affected thereby shall remain in full force

and effect.

SECTION 19. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following

completion of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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