Sponsorship Speech Sen. JV Ejercito on Metro Bataan Development Authority (MBDA) Act
August 27, 2024
Mr. President, my dear colleagues,
good afternoon.
Hindi po kaila sa lahat ang
mahalagang ginampanan ng Lalawigan ng Bataan noong World War II. Habambuhay na
pong maiuugnay ang Bataan sa kabayanihan at pagmamahal sa bayan at kalayaan.
Ito ang ating naging tanggulan mula sa mga mananakop at naging larawan ng
kagitingan ng ating mga kababayang beterano ng digmaan.
At present, Bataan still plays a
strategic role in our government’s war against poverty and quest for economic
growth and development. As the province continue to expand its commercial
operations, it has created more job opportunities not only to its inhabitants
but to nearby territories as well.
With the construction of the
Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, Bataan has opened the region’s gateways to
faster interconnectivity with other potential trade partners. Land travel to
and from Metro Manila, as well to CALABARZON, will become more accessible,
convenient, faster and more efficient. Tourism and businesses will flourish,
providing more work for our people and additional revenues for the government.
The possibilities are indeed endless.
With this, Mr. President, I stand
today to sponsor Senate Bill No. 2799 under Committee Report No. 307 or the
bill creating the Metro Bataan Development Authority (MBDA).
Kasabay ng pag-unlad, nakikita
natin ang pangangailangan ng Metro Bataan Development Authority. The MBDA is a
special body that will coordinate and promote socioeconomic growth and
development of the province of Bataan and its nearby areas. Ito ay magsisilbing
ahensiya ng pamahalaan na magtitiyak ng kaayusan sa mga nasasakupang mga road
networks at expressways sa probinsya ng Bataan at sa mga tulay na nagdudugtong
sa mga karatig probinsya nito. Sasaklawin din nito ang paglilikha ng mga
patakaran at mga polisiya na may kaugnayan sa trapiko, waste management, flood
control at sewerage management, land use planning, pangkalusugan at
pampublikong seguridad at kaligtasan.
Mr. President, to address the
issue of duplication of function of the provincial government of Bataan with
the creation of MBDA, the scope of the latter will be wider than that of the
province considering the linkages to relevant national government agencies and
regional line agencies.
Similar to the Metro Manila
Development Authority (MMDA), the MBDA will be a governing body closely
coordinating with other local government units. It will be instrumental in the
promotion of socio-economic growth of Bataan and its nearby areas in the region.
We believe that with progress, comes the necessity to ensure that discipline
and order is being lawfully enforced.
Under the proposed measure, the
MBDA shall be governed by the Metro Bataan Development Council, which shall be
composed of the Governor as ex-officio Chairperson, municipal mayors,
Administrator of SBMA, President & CEO of the Clark Development Corporation
(CDC), and the Chairperson of the Sublic-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD).
The regional directors of DILG, DENR, DPWH, OCD, and PNP and the Commander of
the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) National Capital Region-Central Luzon district
shall be ex-officio members without voting rights. With the members of the
council, the MBDA will be guaranteed with efficient approval of development
plans, investment programs and projects, and formulation and issuance of
ordinances necessary to further the purpose of MBDA.
Mr. President, Bataan has always
been the symbol of Filipino bravery and patriotism because of its historical
significance during the war. With this proposed measure, we intend to add more
to the legacy of Bataan. Let this Bill contribute to the march towards progress
in the region.
For these reasons, Mr. President
and my dear colleagues, I humbly appeal for the swift passage of this bill.
Maraming Salamat po!
