EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 2153
i r»c
FLED
DATE
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BILLG
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA
AN ACT
CREATING THE METROPOLITAN DAVAO DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Updated Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022 stressed that 
metropolitan center provides higher forms of economic services and facilities, 
Including innovation and advanced services, culture and tourism, education and 
research, transportation and trade, manufacturing and technology development.
Currently, Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao are the three major 
metropolitan centers in the country. Metro Davao is composed of Davao City and 
encompasses the nearby provinces of Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, 
Davao del Sur and Davao Occidental. It is considered as Mindanao's "major 
international gateway and the center of commerce and education". With a population 
of more than 2.5 million (2015 Census), Metro Davao was initially organized by 
President Rodrigo Duterte during his stint as mayor of Davao City in 1995. With the 
continuing economic growth and expansion of local governments within Metro Davao, 
an institutionalized metropolitan level management is needed to harness its full 
economic potential and sustained development.
!
Fostering synergy and harmony of developmental plans between national and 
local governments will guarantee constancy and efficient public service delivery. In


line with this, the proposed measure aims to create the Metropolitan Davao 
Development Authority (MDDA) which will be mandated to formulate plans aligned to 
the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) and Philippines Development Plan 2017- 
2022; set and implement policies on transport management, solid waste disposal, 
urban renewal, zoning, land use planning, and shelter service, health and sanitation, 
urban protection, and pollution control, public safety and other metropolitan wide 
programs and project.
The objective of this bill was affirmed in the Updated Philippine Development 
Plan 2017-2022 which deciared that the institutionalization of the Metropolitan Davao 
Development Authority (MDDA) will 'strengthen the coordination among the 
component cities and municipalities in the planning, impiementation and monitoring 
of priority projects.'
Hence, the early passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR RONAL
O" DELA ROSA


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Second Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 2153
roYo^ir,t
FILED
DATE
¥
BILL&
NDbX
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RONALD "BATO" DELA ROSA
AN ACT
CREATING THE METROPOLITAN DAVAO DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, 
DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND PROVIDING FUNDS 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Metropolitan Davao
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Development Authority Act".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby deciared the policy of the State to
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adopt a national dispersion through regional agglomeration strategy to revitalize large
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cities and eventuaiiy stir them to expand their physical areas for planning as weii as
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their service areas for urban service delivery. Considering the rapid urbanization of
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Davao City and increasing population of the cities of Panabo, Tagum, and the Island
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Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), in Davao del Norte; the City of Digos in Davao del
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Sur; and the City of Mati in Davao Orientai, and the spatiai, functional, and economic
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interdependence of these cities with the municipalities of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur,
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Carmen in Davao dei Norte, Maco in Davao de Oro, and Maiita in Davao Occidental, it
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is iikewise hereby deciared the policy of the State to consider these local government
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units (LGUs) as a special development and administrative region, to be known as
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Metropoiitan Davao.
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Sec. 3. Creation of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority. - There is
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hereby created a speciai body to be known as the Metropoiitan Davao Development
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Authority, hereinafter referred to as "MDDA", which shall be organized within thirty


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(30) days after the approval of this Act, to coordinate and promote socio- economic 
growth and sustainable development of Metropolitan Davao. The MDDA shall execute 
the powers and functions herein vested which shall, however, in no way diminish the 
autonomy of the LGUs of Metropolitan Davao concerning purely local matters, within 
the framework and subject to the mandate and limitations of the Constitution and the 
pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local 
Government Code of 1991."
Sec. 4. Jurisdiction of die Metropoiitan Davao Deveiopment Authority. - For the 
purposes of this Act, the MDDA shall have jurisdiction over Davao City; the cities of 
Panabo, Tagum, and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), in Davao del Norte; 
the City of Digos in Davao del Sur; the City of Mati in Davao Oriental; and the 
municipalities of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, Carmen In Davao del Norte, Maco in 
Davao de Oro, and Malita in Davao Occidental, and such other cities and municipalities 
as shall be created In the future within these LGUs as provided by law.
Sec. 5. Scope of MDDA Services. - The services of the MDDA are delivered 
across boundaries to multiple and often interdependent political entities whose 
activities impact each other significantly, and entail huge expenditures such that it 
would not be viable for said services 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 management, which Includes formulating, coordinating, and 
monitoring policies, standards, programs, and projects to rationalize the 
existing transport operations, infrastructure requirements, arid promotion of 
safe and convenient movement of persons and goods; providing a mass 
transport system and Instituting a system to regulate road users; administering 
and Implementing all traffic enforcement operations, traffic engineering 
services and traffic education programs, including instituting a single ticketing 
system;


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(c) Solid waste disposal and management, which includes formulating and 
implementing policies, standards, programs, and projects for proper and 
sanitary waste disposal. It shall likewise include establishing and operating a 
sanitary land fill and related facilities and implementing other alternative 
programs intended to reduce, reuse, and recycle solid waste; Flood control and 
sewerage management, which include foimulating and Implementing policies, 
standards, programs, and projects for an integrated flood control, drainage, 
and sewerage system;
(d) 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;
(e) Health and sanitation, urban protection, and pollution control, which include 
formulating and Implementing 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
(f) Public safety, which includes formulating and implementing 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.
Sec. 6. Functions of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority. - The
MDDA shall exercise the following functions:
a. Formulate plans aligned to the Davao Region Development Plan (DRDP) and 
Philippines Development Plan 2017-2022;
b. Set policies concerning traffic; waste management, and public safety and 
security for Metropolitan Davao and coordinate, regulate, and enforce the


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implementation of these programs and projects with concerned national 
government agencies and LGUs;
c. Prepare and implement or manage metropolitan-wide programs and projects 
for the delivery of specific services under its jurisdiction, subject to the approval 
to the Metropolitan Davao Development Council;
d. Review and recommend to the Metropolitan Davao 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 Davao;
e. Monitor the implementation of metropolitan-wide programs and projects and 
identify implementation issues and appropriate solutions to address them;
f. 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;
g. Prescribe and collect services and regulatory fees, and impose and collect fines 
and penalties; and
h. Perform other functions, subject to approval by the Metropolitan Davao 
Development Council.
Sec. 7. Metropolitan Davao Development Council. - The governing board and 
policy making body of the MDDA shall be the Metropolitan Davao Development 
Council, herein referred to as the Council, which shall be composed of the Chairperson 
of the Regional Development Council, Region XI; the governors of the provinces of 
Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Occidental; 
the city mayors of Davao, Mati, Tagum, Digos, IGACoS, and Panabo; and the municipal 
mayors of Carmen, Sta Cruz, Maco, and Malita, who shall all serve in an ex officio 
capacity. The Chairperson of the Council shall be elected from among its members to 
serve for a term of three (3) years.
The heads of the following Davao 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


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Urban Development (DHSUD); Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), 
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 (DoE), 
Department of Tourism (DoT), Department of Transportation (DoTr); Land 
Transaction Office (LTO), and Philippine National Police (PNP).
The Chairperson and members of the Council, except ex officio members, are 
entitled to allowance and per diems in accordance with existing policies, rules, and 
regulations on the matter.
Sec. 8. Functions of the Metropolitan Davao Development Council. - The 
Council, as the policy-making body of the MDDA, shall exercise the following functions:
a. Approve plans, programs, and projects, and issue rules and regulations deemed 
necessary by the MDDA to carry out the purposes of this Act;
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 MDDA in accordance with the Salary Standardization Law; and 
approve the annual budget of the MDDA for submission to the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM);
c. 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;
d. 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;
e. Endorse the annual as well as the supplemental budgets of the MDDA; and
f. Perform such other acts and assume such other functions as may be necessary 
to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 9. Effectivity of Ordinances and Resolutions. -
a. An ordinance or resolution passed by the Council, In the exercise of Its rule- 
making power as provided in Section 8 hereof, shall be posted in a bulletin 
board at the entrance of the MDDA building and in at least two (2) other


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conspicuous places in the office of the MDDA within ten (10) days from its 
approval and shall take effect fifteen (15) after such posting.
b. Ordinances with penal sanctions shall be published in a newspaper of general 
circulation within Metropolitan Davao and shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
thereafter.
Sec. 10. Functions of the Chairperson of the Councii. - 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 Chairperson'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 
MDDA;
c. Prepare the annual budget for the operations of the MDDA 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;
e. 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 MDDA 
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;
f. Prepare an annual report on the accomplishment of the MDDA 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 the Implementing arm of the MDDA, shall be 
assisted by a General Manager, an Assistant General Manager for Finance and


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Administration, an Assistant General Manager for Planning, and an Assistant General 
Manager for Operations, all of whom shall be appointed by the President of the 
Philippines upon the recommendation of majority of the Council, subject to civil service 
laws, rules and regulation. These officials shall enjoy security of tenure and may be 
removed only for cause in accordance with law.
The Assistant General Manager for Planning must have at least five (5) years n 
extensive experience in development and planning or must hold a Master's degree in 
urban planning or similar disciplines.
Sec. 11. Functions of the General Manager. - The General Manager shall 
exercise the following functions:
a. Assist the Chairperson in the administration of the MDDA and supervision of 
subordinate personnel;
b. Assist the Cha rperson in the supervision of the operation of the various Is 
center and units of MDDA;
c. Assist the Chairperson in the review of plans and program for the MDDA and 
for the cities and municipalities in the preparation of the annual report of 
activities and accomplishments of the MDDA; and
d. Perform such other duties and functions as may be lawfully delegated or 
assigned by the Chairperson from time to time.
Sec. 12. Institution Linkages of the MDDA. - The MDDA shall, in carrying out 
its functions, consult, coordinate and work closely with the LGUs, the Regional 
Development Council of Region XI, and other national government agencies, people's 
organizations, non-government organizations, and the private sector operating in 
Metropolitan Davao. The MDDA shall adopt a master plan that shall serve as the 
framework for the local development plans of the component LGUs and aligned with 
the Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP).
The MDDA shall submit the Council's approved development plans and 
investment programs to the Regional Development Council Region XI for integration 
into the plans, programs, and projects that shall be undertaken by the LGUs, 
concerned national government agencies, peopie's organizations, non-government 
organizations, private sector, and the MDDA itself where appropriate. For this purpose.


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the MDDA may enter into contracts or memoranda of agreement with these bodies
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for the delivery of the required services within Metropolitan Davao.
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The MDDA shall, in coordination with the NEDA and the Department of Finance
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(DOF), interface with foreign assistance agencies for the purpose of obtaining
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financing support, grants and donations in support of its programs and projects.
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Sec. 13. Sources of Funds and Operating Budget of MDDA. - The amount
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necessary for the operations of the MDDA shall be Included in the annual General
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Appropriations Act.
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The operations of the MDDA shall likewise be supported through financial
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contributions and technical assistance from member LGUs, national government
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agencies and government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) and the private
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sector, and other local and international organizations in the form of grants, donations,
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contributions, payments, penalties, fees and charges.
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In case of grants, in cash or in kind, from foreign governments or their agencies
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and instrumentalities, or multilateral institutions or organizations, acceptance thereof
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shall be subject to prior clearance and approval of the Council and the President of
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the Philippines or the authorized representative, based on the recommendation of the
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Secretary of Finance. In case of donations, in cash or in kind, from foreign
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governments, acceptance thereof shall require prior clearance and approval by the
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Council and the President of the Philippines, or the authorized representative based
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on the recommendation of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
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The MDDA is likewise empowered to levy fines, and impose fees and charges
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for various services rendered. The Council shall undertake continuing negotiations
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among the member LGUs and GOCCs to commit annual financial contributions for the
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operations of the MDDA.
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Sec. 14. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from
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the approval of this Act, the Council shall promulgate the necessary rules and
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regulations for the implementation of this Act.
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Sec. 15. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other parts or provisions not affected shall remain in
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full force and effect.


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Sec. 16. Repeating Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
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regulations, parts or provisions thereof that are contrary to or inconsistent with the
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provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,