Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, 1013

Introduced by Hon. Jerry P. Trefias

The creation of a Metro Tloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council is a must to
spur growth and development within the region. This bill was originally filed in the 15”
Congress as House Bill No. 3956.

In order for a regional economic development strategy to succeed, it is necessary to
bolster the effectiveness of inter-local government cooperation. Hence, as early as February 9,
2001, the City of Iloilo already created the-Metropolitan Iloilo Development Council (MIDC).
Subsequently, the Guimaras-Iloilo City Alliance was formed on May 22, 2005.

Through an executive order’ issued on August 28, 2006, a regional economic
development council was created encompassing the City of Iloilo, the Province of Guimaras, and
the Tloilo Municipalities of Pavia, San Miguel, Oton, Leganes, and Sta. Barbara. The council
proved effective in accelerating economic and tourism development in the Tloilo-Guimaras area.
This proposed bill seeks to consolidate the functions of the existing council and solidify its
existence by defining and strengthening its mandate.

The Western Visayas, where the Iloilo-Guimaras area is located, has already been tagged
as having an inherent competitive edge in tourism. Moreover, it is considered by the national
government as a priority area for investments. A Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development
Council shall be able to capitalize on the identified inherent strengths of the region and boost
commerce, industry and tourism in the area, “

In view of the foregoing, I highly recommend that this bill be app:

JERRY P.|TRENAS

X

* Executive Order No. 559, August 28, 2006


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, 10 13

Introduced by Honorable Jerry P. Trefias

AN ACT CREATING THE METRO ILOILO-GUIMARAS ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives duly assembled:

Section 1. The Metro Iloilo-Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC), hereinafter

referred to as the Council, is hereby created.

Section 2. Composition. The Council shall be composed of the following.
a. The Mayor of Iloilo City as Chairperson
b. The Provincial Governor of the Province of Guimaras as Co-Chairperson
©. The Mayor of the Municipality of Pavia, Tloilo
d. ‘The Mayor of the Municipality of San Miguel, Iloilo
€. The Mayor of the Municipality of Oton, Iloilo
£ The Mayor of the Municipality of Leganes, Iloilo
g. The Mayor of the Municipality of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo

h. The President of the League of Municipalities of the Province of Guimaras


Section 3. Powers and Functions. The Council shall formulate, coordinate and monitor

programs, projects and activities for the acceleration of the economic growth and development of

the City of Hoilo, the Municipalities of Oton, San Miguel, Pavia, Leganes and Sta. Barbara, the

entire Province of Iloilo, and the entire Province of Guimaras, in support of the regional

economic development strategy of the national government. The Council shall specifically

undertake to perform the following:

1

Formulate metro-wide plans and programs, coordinate and monitor delivery of services
such as, but not limited to, public safety, tourism, economic promotion, infrastructure,
land use planning and environmental management;

Institute metro-wide complementation of programs and projects for efficient utilization of
the resources of Local Government Units (LGU);

Facilitate the sharing of manpower, financial and technical resources among the LGUs
represented in the Council;

Receive grants, loans, national government subsidies, and assistance of any kind for its
priority development programs and projects,

Serve as a forum for resolving local government issues which may arise among the
represented LGUs in the council;

Perform any function in the furtherance of the growth and development of the Metro

Hloilo-Guimaras area.

Section 4. In the discharge of its functions, the Council shall ensure appropriate coordination

with the Regional Development Council (RDC) VI and other relevant local development

councils,


Section 5. All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies and instrumentalities of the national
government, including government-owned or controlled corporations and government financial
institutions, shall extend full assistance to the Council in support of its programs, projects and

activities.

Section 6, A regular yearly budget shall be provided by the LGUs represented in the Council for

the purpose of carrying out the operations, programs, projects and activities of the Council.

Section 7. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and

regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 8. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional,

the other provisions not affected hereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

Section 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication

in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general circulation

Approved,