Group wants seat of govt moved to Davao

THE Kabayan party- list at the a bill seeking to relocate the seat of government from Malacañang to Davao City.

- Ciriaco Calalang.

The group said the bill seeks to spur development in the countryside, particularly in Mindanao, strengthen nationalism and sense of belongingness and decongest Metro Manila.

“Transferring the seat of government also means that it will prevent the further rise in population due to unmitigated migration, congestion and urban blight which hamper further development. It will also help arrest the continued rise of prices both in housing and other properties for sale and for rent,” the group said.

Under the bill, a National Government Center will be built in Davao City, that will house the Presidential Palace, the Vice- Presidential Palace, Senate, the - preme Court, the constitutional various government agencies.

The National Government Center will be created within three years upon the promulgation of the Act, the bill states.

Metro Manila will remain the City will still be the Summer Capital of the Philippines and Malacañan Palace will remain as the

government agencies in Metro Manila

Permanent employees of the government that will be affected by the relocation will be given the option to resign or retire early.

A budget of P1 billion will be appropriated for the implementation of the Act, which will be taken from the Presidential Savings. For the succeed from the General Appropriations Act.