MANILA – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has named presidential adviser on Mindanao Jesus Dureza as chairman of the newly-created Mindanao Development Authority (Minda).

Minda was created under Republic Act 9996 which President Arroyo signed into law last February 17.

Mindanao has waited five decades for the establishment this body that would integrate peace and development efforts in the province.

It strengthens the existing Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco), which Dureza headed during the Ramos administration.

Under the Minda Law, the chairperson serves a fixed term of six years.

Aside from his role as Minda chairman, Dureza also serves as the Philippine senior official to the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga) and sits as an ex-officio member of the National Economic and Development Authority Board and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Teza) Board. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)