Davao soon to have its regional center
By Antonio Colina IV
DAVAO CITY – Several regional agencies signed on Wednesday a memorandum of understanding for the construction of the Regional Government Center for Davao Region in a 68-hectare government-owned property in Bago Oshiro, Tugbok, Davao City.
(photo from Make It Davao)
National Economic and Development Agency (NEDA) Regional Director Maria Lourdes Lim said in her presentation on Thursday many of the regional government offices are renting offices space and are spread throughout the city.
“These areas are very far from each other which is very inefficient, time-consuming and tedious for our clients,” she said. Once built, the regional government center would enhance administrative efficiency and the delivery of public services, she said.
Davao Region is among four regions in the country without a government regional center. The others are Cordillera Administrative Region, Western Visayas, and Northern Mindanao.
“The other 11 regions including the ARMM, already have their respective government centers to provide more efficient public services given a ‘one-stop center’ concept of regional/local development management and governance,” she said.
She said the proposed location in Bago Oshiro, relatively accessible from the city center, also prevents overcrowding and congestion in the city’s Central Business District.
Lim added the offices will also save on rental costs as most of the government agencies have been renting office buildings since the creation of the regional offices in the 1970s.
“Having a regional government center shall serve as a symbol of the region’s bright future; with modern and efficient government offices considered among the country’s best, with green spaces and common service facilities that are environment-friendly,” she said.
If the plan pushes through, she said at least 55 government agencies will be housed in center.
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Director Anthony C. Sales added they want the proposed center to be built soon.