Minda waiting funds for Maramag office

NEWLY appointed Mindanao Development Auhority (MinDA) Secretary Mabel Acosta said the would-be site of the MinDA office in Maramag, Bukidnon is awaiting processing and funds.

Acosta said on February 17 that the area in the municipality of Maramag intended for the MinDA office has already been identified but they are waiting for the transfer of ownership to the MinDA Board by the local government unit of Maramag and Bukidnon.

“Hindi tayo pwede magpagawa ng any structure kapag hindi siya property ng MinDA which is a government agency, so kailangan first and foremost unahin yung papeles (We cannot build a structure if it’s not a property of MinDA, which is a government agency, so we need to secure the documents first),” the secretary said during a press conference.

According to Republic Act 9996, or the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Act of 2010, Maramag Municipality will be the location of the MinDA board but it may also establish other area management offices.

But the current main office of MinDA is still situated in Davao City.

Acosta said she supports relocating to Maramag since it is what was written on the law, but said she also suggested maintaining the current office.

“Davao City para siyang de facto economic hub ng Mindanao, andito yung international hub at ang big businesses (Davao City is like the de facto economic hub of Mindanao, it’s where the international airport and big businesses are located),” Acosta said.

“We can do both offices, ang pondo na lang at saka ang proseso (we just need to process the transfer and the funds),” she added.

Additionally, the secretary said the office in Maramag is conducive for conducting workshop and development activities intended for capacity-building of different sectors.

“Siguro ang magiging purpose ng building na iyon ay more on the best practices ng Mindanao (The office building will focus on the best practices of Mindanao),” Acosta said.

The target construction date and completion for the MinDA office are not yet set as of date.