Bong Go named to MinDa Board

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong”Go on Thursday, February 16, took his oath as an ex-officio member of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Board of Directors during the celebration of the agency’s 13th anniversary at the Acacia Hotel in Davao City.

The event was also attended by guest of honor Vice President Sara Duterte who presided over Go’s oath-taking. Likewise present were MinDA Chairman Maria Belen Acosta, Executive Director and Undersecretary Janet Lopoz, and Paul Dominguez, former presidential assistant for Mindanao and concurrent chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council, the precursor of MinDA.

As a Mindanaoan himself, Go said that the fulfillment of Mindanao as the “land of promise”is a continuing call, and pledged to contribute to the region’s growth and development.

“The land of promise is a continuing call. I, as a Mindanaoan, will continue to help on how to make Mindanao progressive,” said Go.

“Being one of your senators, after 50 years, Davao, in Region 11, has again produced a senator. I will do everything within my ability to help for the development of Mindanao,” he added.

Go also praised former president Rodrigo Duterte, the first president of the Philippines from Mindanao, for his role in the region’s development.

The senator likewise expressed confidence that Vice President Duterte will contribute greatly to Mindanao’s development, adding that she would not let Mindanao fall behind.

The event was also highlighted by the ceremonial unveiling of a marker installed on the 14th floor of the Pryce Tower in Davao City as a tribute to former president Duterte and Vice President Duterte for their exemplary leadership and contributions to the development of Mindanao. It also acknowledged former Finance secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd for his swift assistance in finding MinDA a new home.

MinDA, which was created through Republic Act 9996 or the “Mindanao Development Authority Act of 2010,” is mandated to “promote, coordinate, and facilitate the active and extensive participation of all sectors to effect the socioeconomic development of Mindanao.”

Previously, Go urged the government to carry out significant reforms in order to spur development in Mindanao.

“Mindanao and its people have suffered decades of injustice and social inequity,”Go noted.

“The government must continuously strive to bring about the much needed reform and development in the Mindanao region and ensure just, inclusive and lasting peace in the area,”he said.

Go has been supportive of initiatives to boost development in the region. In 2021, Go authored and co-sponsored the measure creating the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte signed the measure into law on April 27 last year.