Section 5Sec./Art. 5

Functions and Powers. - The Administration shall have the following functions and powers:

(a) To make a comprehensive survey of the physical and natural resources of the district, including social conditions and values, and institutional systems, as well as the special problems of the area;

(b) To prepare, undertake, and implement a comprehensive and integrated development program for the district;

(c) To pass over all plans, programs, projects, and project developmental programs proposed by local government agencies within the district, public corporations, and private enterprises where such plans, programs and/or projects are related to the development of the district as envisioned in this Act. The Administration shall determine whether such plans, programs and/or projects are contributory to district development and consistent with national goals and objectives;

(d) To make recommendations to the proper agencies on the technical support, physical assistance and, generally, the level of priority to be accorded agricultural, industrial, commercial, and infrastructure projects, soliciting or requiring direct or indirect help from or through the government or any of its instrumentalities;

(e) To encourage investments in the district by extending the necessary planning, management, and technical assistance to prospective and existing investors;

(f) To help promote the economic zones and/or industrial estates established in the district;

(g) To engage in agriculture, industry, commerce or other activities within the district which may be necessary to the socioeconomic development of the area and for this purpose, whether by itself or in cooperation with private persons or entities, to organize, finance, invest in, and operate subsidiary corporations:Provided,That the Administration shall engage only, unless public interest requires otherwise, in those activities as are in the nature of new ventures or are clearly beyond the scope, capacity or interest of private enterprises;

(h) To receive grants, both in cash and in kind, for its capitalization and operation;

(i) To establish, operate and/or contract to operate such agencies, functional units and instrumentalities which may be necessary for the furtherance of the provisions of this Act;

(j) To adopt a corporate seal, enter into contracts, and alienate properties;

(k) To sue and be sued; and

(l) To exercise any other functions necessary to attain the purposes for which it is created.