Mindanao's fishing industry has urged for the speedy approval of the Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MEDA) bill, which will become a permanent agency that will ensure the continuity of peace and development efforts in Mindanao. The bill, which is due for bicameral hearing this coming Tuesday, has been pushed in view of the need for Mindanao to catch up with the mainstream national development. Senate Bill 3496 or the MEDA bill was unanimously approved on third reading last December 14 and the senators agreed to adopt House Bill 6958, the counterpart bill approved Congress on November 16 last year, as the final version.

Crismundo, M. U. (2010, January 15). Fishing industry calls for passage of MEDA bill. Manila Bulletin, p. 14.