Guv bats for passage of development authority bill

By: Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Friday said he is hoping the bill filed by Bacolod City lone district Rep. Greg Gasataya creating the Metro Bacolod Development Authority (MBDA) will be passed into law.

Lacson said the creation of MBDA is a longtime dream of Negrenses.

Lacson also compared the creation of the MBDA to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) which will benefit the cities of Bago, Silay, Talisay, and the town of Murcia.

“It’s a turn in the right direction, and I do hope [Gasataya] will succeed in convincing his fellow lawmakers to support his bill,” Lacson added.

Gasataya refiled the MBDA measure after previous bills in 2016 and 2017 did not hurdle the House of Representatives.

If passed into law, Bacolod City, Bago City, Silay City, Talisay City, and Murcia would be clustered into a special development and administrative unit that would be directed by the MBDA under the supervision of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

According to the previous legislation, “the MBDA shall perform planning, monitoring, and coordinative functions.”

The 2017 bill indicated that the MBDA would be involved in development planning, transport and traffic management, solid waste disposal and sewage management, urban renewal, zoning, health and sanitation, public safety, among other matters.

Meanwhile, the National Economic Development Authority-Region VI recently revealed a masterplan for a proposed Metropolitan Bacolod and is expected to be included in the 2020 budget.

According to Gasataya, “This will also be a big help in addressing woes on traffic congestion and waste management.” (Photo Courtesy of  Eugenio Jose Lacson  Facebook Page)