Section 6. Powers and Functions of the MinDA. —

In the exercise of those activities which are Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao-specific in character, the Authority shall have the following powers and functions:

1. Formulate an integrated development framework for Mindanao that is consistent with the peace and development initiatives of the national government, as far as practicable;

2. Integrate, prioritize, program and implement, whenever allowed and authorized by applicable laws, Mindanao-wide, inter-regional and region-specific programs, activities and projects with Mindanao-wide impact, including Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, subject to such limitations prescribed by existing laws, rules and regulations;

3. Recommend to and, whenever necessary, call upon the proper agencies on the technical support, physical assistance and, generally, the level of priority to be accorded to agricultural, industrial, commercial, and infrastructure, environmental, and technological programs and projects soliciting or requiring direct or indirect help from or through the national government or any of its instrumentalities;

4. Advocate to the constituents of Mindanao, their elected representatives in Congress and the national government, national policies that will foster the integrated and balanced development of Mindanao;

5. Promote and facilitate investments in any field that would enhance the socioeconomic development of Mindanao and uplift the living standards of the people and their socio-political activities in close coordination with agencies primarily mandated to undertake such functions;

6. Explore sources for financing priority Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao-specific inter-regional programs, projects and activities;

7. Coordinate and facilitate the extension of necessary planning, management and technical assistance to prospective and existing investors, complementary and in support of agencies primarily mandated to execute such functions;

8. Establish a comprehensive and integrated database on Mindanao and the BIMP-EAGA needed for planning and decision making;

9. Monitor, evaluate and formulate recommendations in the implementation of Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao-specific inter-regional development programs, activities and projects;

10. Provide strategic direction for Mindanao;

11. Establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure the timely implementation of Mindanao-wide and/or Mindanao-specific inter-regional projects, whenever necessary, as far as practicable, including, but not limited to, public-private partnership;

12. Review and recommend for approval by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board such Mindanao-wide and Mindanao-specific inter-regional programs, projects, and plans by the national government and donor agencies subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;

13. Act as the official and permanent Philippine Coordinating Office for BIMP-EAGA (PCOBE) and as lead agency of the government in coordinating the formulation and implementation of policies and programs including the monitoring of all activities related thereto including, but not limited to, the following:

    1. Coordinate with relevant stakeholders in all policy deliberations concerning the BIMP-EAGA;

    2. Initiate and coordinate the establishment of the BIMP-EAGA desks in concerned national agencies, local government units and private enterprises;

    3. Advocate for the adoption/approval of policies, initiatives and strategies that will enhance the country's participation in the BIMP-EAGA;

    4. Initiate and facilitate sourcing of technical and other forms of assistance to BIMP-EAGA projects/initiatives and ensure efficient and effective support services for the Philippines' BIMP-EAGA operations and coordinate budgetary requirements for this purpose;

    5. Monitor developments in the BIMP-EAGA and follow-through agreements entered into by the Philippine parties;

    6. Represent and strengthen the participation of the Philippine-focus areas for the BIMP-EAGA which are Mindanao and Palawan;

    7. Closely coordinate with the private sector in all policy deliberations concerning the BIMP-EAGA;

    8. Act as a databank for the BIMP-EAGA and other related matters by collecting, consolidating and processing them for dissemination to various groups; and

    9. Formulate and develop new plans and/or programs for the Philippine participation in the BIMP-EAGA based on the consensus of the BIMP-EAGA Clusters and Working Groups and/or Heads of State, Signing Ministers and Senior Officials.

14. Receive and administer donations, contributions, grants, bequests or gifts, in cash or in kind, from foreign governments, international agencies, private entities and other sources, including ODA, to be used in the development of Mindanao, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;

15. To sue and be sued, enter into contracts, acquire, purchase, hold, lease, transfer, dispose of property of any kind or nature to carry out the purposes of this Act; and

16. Discharge other functions that may be deemed necessary or as may be provided by law.

The Authority, through the MinDA Chairperson, shall submit to the President and both Houses of Congress annual reports on its accomplishments and activities.