Camarines Sur Rep. Gabriel Bordado is seeking the creation of the Metropolitan Naga Development Authority (MNDA) to promote the development of the region.
“The passage of the MNDA bill would be a momentous stride toward a brighter and more inclusive future for the constituents of Naga City and the surrounding municipalities. By institutionalizing this development authority, we aim to bring about positive change and ensure sustainable progress that benefits all,” he stressed
Then Camarines Sur representative James Jacob filed the bill. Bordado, an assistant minority leader, recently filed a similar proposed measure to create MNDA, which he called a landmark bill.
The bill’s primary focus is on the city of Naga and several municipalities in Camarines Sur and Masbate.
The areas falling under the jurisdiction of the MNDA included the city of Naga and the municipalities of Bombon, Bula, Calabanga, Camaligan, Canaman, Gainza, Libmanan, Magarao, Milaor, Minalabac, Ocampo, Pamplona, Pasacao, Pili, San Fernando, and Siruma in Camarines Sur, and San Pascual in Masbate.
Among the proposed powers and functions of the MNDA included economic development and planning to ensure sustainable growth and prosperity, infrastructure and transportation to enhance connectivity and accessibility, environmental protection and conservation to preserve ecological balance, health, and sanitation, urban/rural protection, and pollution control to safeguard public health and the environment.
Recognizing the need for a systematic and equitable solution, the late Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo and the mayors of the nearby municipalities came together to establish the Metro Naga Development Council through Executive Order No 102 on June 18, 1993.
While it has been effective in delivering certain basic services, challenges unique to each local government unit and the region persisted, hindering the full realization of the vision for a prosperous Metropolitan Naga, Bordado lamented.
He said his bill aims to elevate and reinforce the Metro Naga Development Council by creating the MNDA toward finding solutions to long-standing issues in the region, fostering more effective and equitable economic development within Metropolitan Naga without undermining local autonomy.