The bill was authored by Rep. Raul del Mar and co-authored by Reps. Luigi Quisumbing, Joseph Durano, Gerald Anthony Gullas, Rodrigo Abellanosa, Aileen Radaza, Gwendolyn Garcia, Wilfredo Caminero, and Benhur Salmbangon. The MCDA will consist of the highly-urbanized cities of Cebu and Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue along with the cities of Talisay, Danao, Carcar and Naga. The municipalities of San Fernando, Minglanilla, Compostela, Liloan, Cordova and Consolacion will also become a part of the MCDA.
Del Mar pointed out that the Metro Cebu Development Coordinating Board or the MCDCB under the chairmanship of Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III drafted the proposed bill. The development authority will be responsible in providing services with a metropolitan-wide impact and goes beyond politics, Del Mar added.
The services offered by the MCDA should cover and influence different LGUs, rise above politics and do not require considerable cost. These services include infrastructure planning and development, traffic and transport management, solid waste management and disposal, and disaster risk reduction and management.
The body is also responsible for ensuring all the plans, programs, services and policies are in accordance to the objective of attaining the Mega Cebu Vision for 2050 of a Wholesome, Advanced, Vibrant, Equitable, and Sustainable or WAVES Cebu. It is also tasked in carrying out the development strategy for livability, competitiveness, mobility and metropolitan management for Mega Cebu. The body is also tasked in the implementation of the Metropolitan Cebu Roadmap and any subsequent roadmaps for the benefit of Mega Cebu.
The Mega Cebu Development Board will be composed of the Governor of the Province of Cebu, mayors of all cities and municipalities within Metro Cebu, League of Municipalities president in Cebu and heads of civil society and private sector organizations, coalitions and associations.