The two-day Mindanao eco-zone summit hosted by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority in partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority sought to wrap up ‘integral steps’ that will accelerate development in the island region.
“MinDa sees eco-zone development as an imperative measure that will bolster inclusive socio-economic growth in the region,” said MinDa chair, Secretary Datu Hj. Abul Khayr Alonto.
The summit is held February 2-3, 2017 at Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City.
The two-day gab gathered more than 200 key representatives from the government, private sectors and other institutions to finalize integral steps necessary in accelerating regional economic zone development initiatives in Mindanao.
Among other things, the summit highlighted the collaboration between MinDa and PEZA through the signing of a memorandum of agreement that will encourage concerned agencies to participate in the promotion and development of eco-zones.
The MinDa chief stressed that the human resource of the island region is ready to embrace opportunities that will come with ecozone developments.
According to Alonto, MinDa and PEZA are looking at a holistic approach in ecozone development in which Mindanao’s agriculture and its component sectors such as fisheries and aquaculture will play key roles in the region’s overall development.
“If I am to envision the island region’s development in the next 10 to 20 years, I see agriculture cooperatives and agri-based industries as the most prominent drivers of Mindanao’s economy,” said Alonto.
One of the potential areas targeted for ecozone development is Tawi-Tawi with its high potential for agriculture and aquaculture development, particularly seaweed.
With the influx of agri-based ecozones, Sec. Alonto hopes that this will strike a “balance between large plantation and smallholer farming” wherein farmers can fully PDAs the long-term benefits of such initiatives.
The agency is also looking into the establishment of key infrastructure and connectivity networks as they play a vital role in ensuring lie seamless flow of economic activities in the proposed eco-zones.
Through the Mindanao Development Corridors, a spatial approach to development, MinDa will work with concerned agencies in making sure that all interregional roads, gateway port and airports, as well as other logistic facilities are in place.
The MinDa chief identified some of the early gains of the strategy include the scheduled launching of the Davao-GenSan-Bitung shipping route, which will expedite travel time for goods between Indonesia and the Philippines from five weeks to three days.
“We are counting on this new route to entice more locators in our ecozones, especially from our neighbors in the Brunei Indonesia Malaysia and Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area and the larger ASEAN market.” said Alonto.
The program also looked into the development of the Mindanao Railway Project, identified by the national government as one of the top priority projects for Mindanao.
Following the 1st Mindanao Ecozones Converging Meeting, MinDa representatives participated in PEZA-initiated workshops for local government units in Mindanao in several workshops held at PEZA main office last January 19 to 20, 2017 and January 26, 2017.
As a result of these workshops, the Mindanao Economic Zone Summit was set on February 2 to 3 in Davao City.
Following this workshop PEZA is looking forward to conduct the Philippine Economic Zones Convergence in Davao City on October 12 to 14, 2017, in partnership with MinDa and Chamber of Real Estate and Builder’s Association (CREBA).
