The Philippines has officially taken a leading role in regional diplomacy, assuming the chairmanship of the Bimp-Eaga subregional cooperation mechanism. This significant event is centered in Davao City, where the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is spearheading strategic preparations for the 33rd Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) and the 28th Ministerial Meeting.
High-Level Welcome and Commitment to Collaboration
In a key development on Tuesday, November 11, MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, who serves as the chairperson and Philippine signing minister for Bimp-Eaga, formally welcomed the National Secretariats from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia to Mindanao. The purpose of their visit was a series of high-level preparatory meetings to set the agenda for the upcoming gatherings.
During a courtesy call, Secretary Magno reaffirmed MinDA's pivotal role as the Philippine Coordinating Office for Bimp-Eaga (PCOBE). He emphasized a strong commitment to advancing subregional cooperation and inclusive development. This direction is closely aligned with the Marcos Administration's thrust to strengthen regional linkages and establish Mindanao as a key growth hub within the Bimp-Eaga framework.
"As this year’s chair, we are committed to fostering stronger collaboration and ensuring that Bimp-Eaga continues to be a vibrant platform for inclusive growth, regional connectivity, and shared prosperity," Magno assured the delegates.
Strategic Agenda and Institutional Strengthening
The 33rd Senior Officials Meeting (SOM), an annual strategic platform, will focus on assessing progress across Bimp-Eaga’s core pillars. These priority areas are connectivity, food and agribusiness, tourism, environment, and socio-cultural and education.
Adding to the strategic discussions, MinDA deputy executive director and Philippine national secretariat head Asec. Montenegro highlighted the critical need for institutional strengthening. He pointed out the importance of a central secretariat to enhance the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of both existing and new Bimp-Eaga initiatives, particularly in supporting the Bimp-Eaga Vision 2035 (BEV 2035).
The Asian Development Bank (ADB), a long-standing development partner for the subregion, was also present, providing technical guidance to fortify strategic planning and implementation frameworks.
Finalizing the Roadmap for Shared Prosperity
The National Secretariats Meeting (NSM) served as a crucial working session where delegates refined the draft Joint Statement for the upcoming 28th Bimp-Eaga Ministerial Meeting. They also finalized the agendas for the 33rd SOM, a ministerial retreat, bilateral meetings, and the Chief Ministers, Governors, and Local Governments Forum.
This meticulous preparation ensures that both the Senior Officials and Ministerial Meetings will proceed with a clear direction, shared priorities, and strengthened coordination across the entire subregion. The attendees included Norhayati Ismail of Brunei Darussalam, Sonny Ameriansah Soekoer of Indonesia, Paarteeben A/L Subramaniam of Malaysia, and Asec. Montenegro of the Philippines, alongside representatives from the ADB and the Bimp-Eaga Facilitation Center.
These concerted efforts directly reflect President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to accelerate inclusive growth and regional integration, with a special focus on Mindanao. As the Philippines gears up to host ASEAN next year, this leadership role in Bimp-Eaga is a strategic step towards positioning Mindanao as a gateway for trade, tourism, and innovation, advancing the administration's vision for a more connected and resilient subregion.
