THE MINDANAO Development Authority clarified that there has been no formal communication to them on the reported plan of establishing a US military oil depot in Davao Region.
Asec. Romeo Montenegro, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), deputy executive director, said on Wednesday, April 15, that the project of this nature is “fundamentally” a national security issue.
Montenegro stressed that this matter is to be decided by the national government under existing defense arrangements or agreements.
“We also learn of that through the news; there was no formal communication seen,” Montenegro said during the Habi at Kape media forum.
However, Montenegro said MinDA ensures it is focused on the activities that benefit the people of Mindanao.
“The role of MinDA is to ensure that any major activity with Mindanao aligns with regional development, with environmental protection, and overall general welfare of the local communities,” he said.
Montenegro added that these concerns would have to be factored into any decisions made by MinDA regarding the specific proposal.
He stressed that this facility is “intended for defense logistics” and not designed as a development project.
But just like with any other infrastructure project, indirect benefits should be noted, in terms of construction, job generation, logistics, and services.
“As to whether or not it is going to be set up, that’s the indirect impact that we can expect out of this project, so I think that is how we look at it in terms of this proposal,” Montenegro said.
To note, the city government of Davao openly opposed plans to build foreign military services within the jurisdiction of the city.
It maintained that it will not support such a move if it does not help address the economic strain brought about by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“If such a plan does not help cushion the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, such as reducing the price of oil and commodities and alleviating the living conditions of the people, then we will not support it,” the city government said.
