Friday, October 31, 2008 Ledesma: Medco should take over Neda in Mindanao By Jun Ledesma Sunbursts
I do not know what the reason is behind placing the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco) under the "general supervision" of the National Economic Development Authority.
While I believe in the capabilities and work ethics of Neda Director Ralph Recto I have very serious misgivings about Neda regional offices capability to provide guidance in terms of socio-economic development plans, policies and programs which Medco have been undertaking with the least supervision from national agencies, Neda included.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is ill advised in issuing Executive Order 757, which placed Medco under the oversight of Neda. That is the title of the order, which is actually harmless, but Section 1 of the order actually impinges on the role that Medco had, since its inception, been mandated to do.
The order for one just created another layer between the Office of the President and Medco. It would have been different if the EO just places the only credible government agency that pushes the interest of Mindanaoans.
The Southern Philippines Development Authority would have been the better agency but corruption had devoured it. No amount of fire that had burned the incriminating records of SPDA can resurrect the image of SPDA. Having revived it from the ashes of its corruption is a joke.
President Arroyo should have instead given credence to Medco for it was able to streamline programs and implementations of projects. As I have repeatedly said in my past columns, never have there been as many projects accomplished during the term of Arroyo than the immediate three past administrations combined.
Why? I attribute this to the hands on supervision and monitoring being undertaken by Medco during her term. As the question goes: "Why fix it if it ain't broke?" Mindanaoans could only cross their fingers this EO will strengthen Medco.
I am personally even more concerned about the outcome of this order given the unconfirmed rumor that Neda 11 (Southern Mindanao) Regional Director Nick Agustin has filed his irrevocable resignation.
Nick is a big loss but the bigger loss for Mindanao here is placing Medco under the supervision of Neda. If you ask me, in Mindanao, Neda should be under Medco.
It's not for anything but because as a Mindanaoan I insist that Mindanao should have at least one agency that should look after the welfare of the region. We cannot just be another one of those regions that can be left to the caprice of politicians.
Medco played a significant role in welding the friendly relation of the Philippines with countries in the BIMP (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines).
When the government talks peace issues, economic cooperation, environmental and marine resource conservation with these countries it is Medco that is on the forefront.
Foreign donors for the development and rehabilitation of conflict areas and relocation and enabling displaced families in the same areas have entrusted their funds with Medco as supervising agency.
These donors had been wary about other agencies looking after the programs which they generously aid but they have been quite comfortable with Medco looking after their projects.
President Arroyo should not diminish the functions of Medco neither should she clip its wings by placing it under an agency which have yet to prove its relevance in the development of Mindanao.
While I am upbeat over the prospects that Congress will eventually approve the Bill that seeks to create the Mindanao Economic Development Authority as a Mindanaoan I do not see the rationality of placing Medco under Neda even with Recto on top of it.
If she is well meaning the president should place Medco under her care for that is the only one left taking care of Mindanao.
