THE Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has formalized its technical cooperation with the National Economic and Development Authority in Davao Region (Neda-Davao) for the formulation of the Comprehensive and Sustainable Urban Master Plan for Metropolitan Davao.
Jica mission team leader Shigehiko Sugita and Neda-Davao Regional Director Maria Lourdes Lim recently headed the signing of documents such as records and discussion and minutes of meeting between the two parties that stipulate agreements on the project implementation.
In the ceremonial signing at Neda-Davao office in Davao City, Lim stated that the project will give “opportunity to develop its potentials under a metropolitan arrangement that would also incorporate the principles of smart cities and transport-oriented development.”
“This is very important for us Davaoenos because we need a guide, a blueprint for the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority... With the master plan, we see a very bright prospect for the coming years,” the Neda-Davao official said.
She said that the signing signaled the beginning of the master plan formulation project implementation and the concrete manifestation of Neda-Davao’s commitment with the full support of the Regional Development Council in Davao Region (RDC-Davao).
“To ensure that Davao Region, particularly the 15 local government units under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority or the MDDA shall achieve sustainable development.”
“I hope this masterplan will contribute to the future of the people of Davao,” Sugita stated as he also hoped for the good coordination of stakeholders in this project.
The metropolitan Davao area comprises the cities of Davao; Panabo, Tagum and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; Digos in Davao del Sur; and Mati in Davao Oriental.
The following municipalities are also part of the metropolitan: Sta. Cruz, Hagonoy, Padada, Malalag, and Sulop in Davao del Sur; Carmen, Davao del Norte; Maco, Davao de Oro; Malita and Sta. Maria in Davao Occidental.
Among the agreements in the technical cooperation include the designation of Neda Regional Office 11 as the primary project implementation office, in coordination with the Metropolitan Davao Development Coordinating Committee (MDDCC) as the interim structure for the Metropolitan Davao development initiatives.
Neda-Davao assistant regional director Gilberto Altura said that once the Metropolitan Davao Development Council (MDDC) shall be established and be operational, the latter shall assume the responsibilities of the MDDCC as the project coordination body.
Neda Regional Office 11 shall be responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the project.
The planning periods of the Master Plan are 2025-2029 for the short-term, 2025-2035 for the mid-term and 2025-2045 for the long-term.
The Master Plan must also be consistent with related plans such as the Davao Region Physical Development Framework 2015-2045, Davao Regional Development Plan (DRDP) 2023-2028, Mindanao Spatial Strategy/Development Framework (MSSDF) 2015-2045, Comprehensive Land Use Plans of the Participating LGUs to Metropolitan Davao, and the Comprehensive Development Plans of the participating LGUs to Metropolitan Davao.
Lim expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan and the leadership of the Jica-Tokyo Headquarters and the mission team, for approving the technical cooperation project. PIA DAVAO