Engine of growth

• Davao body to help spur growth: lawmaker

THE establishment of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA) will spur growth and development in the Davao Region, its principal author, Third District Rep. Isidro Ungab, believed.

"Hopefully, kini ang atong national nga panggamhanan maghimo sa development in coordination planning sa atong lugar, sa efforts of local government additional development units," Ungab said agency nga mu-assist sa during his interview with the Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday.

Ungab pointed out that he noticed during his chairman of the Committee on Appropriations of the Lower House that only four regions usually get a huge chunk of the budget from the national government. These are the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 3, Calabarzon, and Bicol.

Regions in the Visayas and Mindanao receive smaller budgets.

This is because these regions, particularly NCR, are the seats of head offices of government agencies and private companies.

He added that the Metro Manila Development Authority also receives a big budget for infrastructure, public health, beautification, and tourism, among other

9. BING GONZALES WORKERS unload official ballots and other election paraphernalia to the City Treasurer’s Office at the Sangguniang Panlungsod building on Tuesday, six days before the national and local election on May