SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go 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-Carpio who presided over Go’s oath-taking. Likewise present were MinDA chair Maria Belen Acosta, Executive Director USec. Janet Lopoz, and Mr. Paul Dominguez, former Presidential Assistant for Mindanao and then concurrent chair 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. Ako po, bilang isang Mindanaoan, ay ipagpatuloy ko po ‘yung tulong kung paano umunlad ang Mindanao,” said Go.

He continued, “Ngayon, dapat po ‘yung mga investor, papasok pa rito sa Mindanao. Not only sa Davao but sa buong Mindanao. Naaalala ko, bata pa ako, nababasa ko na ang ‘Mindanao is a land of promise.’ Makikita n’yo diyan sa Diversion Road, ‘pag nasa taas ka, makikita mo ang (nakalagay na) ‘land of promise’. Iyan ang parati kong naaalala.”

“Being one of your senators, after 50 years, nagkaroon po (muli) ng senador (mula) rito sa Davao, sa Region XI. Gagawin ko po ang lahat ng aking makakaya na makatulong po sa development ng Mindanao at sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan,” 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.

“Tayo po’y nasa babang parte. Ibig sabihin, medyo malayo sa seat of power sa gobyerno na nasa Luzon. Ngunit noong panahon po ni (dating) pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ay nailapit niya ang gobyerno sa tao. Hindi po nahuli ang Mindanao sa development,” said Go.

“Maganda na po, may mga gagawing tulay, may mga railways na gagawin, at mga infrastructure na nakakatulong sa mga development. When there is development, nandiyan po ‘yung trabaho, mas napapanatili rin ang peace and order,” he continued.

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

“Nagpapasalamat po ako kay Vice President Sara Duterte sa tulong. With VP Sara, alam kong hindi po mahuhuli ang Mindanao. Nabanggit niya kanina kung ano pong makakatulong sa Mindanao, ano pong makakatulong sa MinDA, ay tutulong po siya,” said Go.

“Ako po, tutulong rin po ako. Magtutulungan po kami ni Vice President Sara sa ikauunlad po ng Mindanao. Lalo na’t pareho kaming taga-Mindanao,” he added.

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-Carpio for their exemplary leadership and contributions to the development of Mindanao. It also acknowledged former Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III for his swift assistance in finding MinDA a new home.

MinDA, which was created through Republic Act No. 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.

It seeks to address the growing needs of Davao City and nearby areas through the services which will be provided by the MDDA. These services include development planning, transport management, solid waste disposal and management, urban zoning, land use planning, shelter services, health and sanitation, as well as public safety.

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

“Dahil sa mabilis na paglago ng ekonomiya ng Davao City at karatig-LGUs nito, panahon na po upang magkaroon doon ng isang sentralisadong ahensya na siyang magbibigay ng iisang direksyon at magsisilbing gabay sa urban planning ng mga lugar na ito,” Go said in a previous interview.

“Kaya naman, muli akong nagpapasalamat sa aking kapwa mambabatas sa pagsuporta sa panukalang ito,” he added.