The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has powerfully articulated the island's central role in the Philippines' national investment strategy. This strategic push was made during a key panel discussion at the Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) Planning Conference with Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in Makati City on December 02, 2025.
Three Pillars for Mindanao's Investment Future
During the event, MinDA chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso Magno presented three core investment pillars designed to fuel Mindanao's economic ascent. These are renewable energy and green manufacturing, agri-industrial corridors, and digital and logistics connectivity. Magno emphasized that these sectors are critical for achieving sustainable growth and deeper regional economic integration across the island.
"Through renewable energy and green manufacturing, Mindanao is emerging as the nation’s clean energy heartland," Magno stated. He described a vision where solar, hydro, and biomass projects are integrated with advanced industrial and agricultural processing zones. He confidently declared that improved peace and security is Mindanao's turnaround story, signaling that the region is now primed and ready for significant investments.
Positioning Mindanao in the Regional Landscape
Secretary Magno also detailed Mindanao's evolving position within broader regional frameworks. He highlighted ongoing initiatives and strategic collaborations that bolster the island's role in cross-border trade, investment flows, and regional cooperation, particularly within the Bimp-Eaga corridor. "MinDA promotes Mindanao by showing the world that it is more than just a region rich in resources; it is a competitive, well-connected, and future-ready investment destination," he asserted.
To address potential investor concerns, Magno pointed to MinDA's role as Co-Chair of the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC). He assured FTSC Officers that the agency provides credible guidance on power stability and renewable energy options, offering investors reliable data and confidence in the island's energy future.
Aligning with National Goals for Inclusive Growth
The conference, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry's FTSC, aimed to unify national strategy by bringing together IPAs, trade officials, private sector leaders, and commercial attachés. The goal was to equip FTSC Officers with actionable intelligence to attract foreign capital.
Magno firmly connected Mindanao's strategy with the national agenda under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.. He stated that the island's investment pillars directly support the President's directives on renewable energy expansion, food security, and digital transformation. By aligning with this vision, MinDA ensures that Mindanao's rise as a premier investment hub contributes to the administration's goal of inclusive and sustainable prosperity for the entire Philippines.
The panel also featured other key investment promotion leaders, including:
- Gil G. Taway IV, President and CEO of Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority
- Atty. Gisela Z. Kalalo, Executive Vice President of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority
- Renato W. Lee, Senior Deputy Administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority
- Atty. Amee Zarraga-Fabros, Executive Director of the Subic Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD)
- Evariste Cagatan, Executive Director of the Board of Investments
