MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte has abolished the Partido Development Administration (PDA) for consistently operating at a loss for almost 20 years since it was established.
Under Memorandum Order No. 29 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Sept. 25, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Camarines Sur urged the President and the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations (GCG) to abolish the PDA for failing to serve its purpose.
The GCG gave two reasons to abolition the PDA: the PDA performs functions or purposes that duplicate or unnecessarily overlap with functions, programs, activities or projects already provided by a government agency; and the PDA is not producing the desired outcomes, or no longer achieving the objectives and purposes for which it was originally designated and implemented and/or not cost efficient and does not generate the level of social, physical, and economic returns.
The memorandum said the PDA was established in 1994 to accelerate the development of 10 municipalities, comprising the 4th District of the Province of Camarines Sur –Sagnay, Tigaon, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Tinambac, Siruma, Presentacion, Garchitorena, and Caramoan.
“Despite the operation of the PDA for almost 20 years, the 4th District of the Province of Camarines Sur has the highest poverty incidence level compared to other districts of the Province and has a higher poverty incidence compared to the average for the entire Bicol Region,” the memorandum said.
Meanwhile, the memorandum said the Privatization Management Office (PMO) will be tasked to dispose of the assets of the PDA to settle its outstanding liabilities in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulation.
The planning and development functions of the PDA shall be relinquished to the appropriate local government units, while the administration and operations of the Nato Port shall be relinquished to the Philippine Ports Authority.
All affected officials and personnel of the PDA, whether regular or contractual, may avail of separation benefits.
Funding for the separation pay and other benefits of affected officials and personnel of the PDA shall be sourced from its corporate funds. (PNA)
