Davao del Norte is being positioned as Mindanao’s next major gateway to the ASEAN market according to the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
MinDA is banking on the province’s strategic location, improving infrastructure, and stable peace and order to attract investments and expand regional trade.
During the province’s 59th Founding Anniversary celebration on Wednesday, MinDA Chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno said Davao del Norte is expected to play a pivotal role in the Mindanao Gateway Corridor Initiative, which seeks to strengthen logistics, connectivity, and market access across Mindanao and neighboring Southeast Asian economies.
“As Mindanao advances the Gateway Corridor Initiative, Davao del Norte stands as a vital hub connecting our communities directly to regional markets,” Magno said in his message.
Magno stressed that the initiative is expected to create more opportunities for businesses by improving the movement of goods, expanding investment destinations, and integrating Mindanao more closely with ASEAN markets.
Magno added that Davao del Norte’s sustained peace, growing economy, and strategic infrastructure have positioned the province to become one of the island’s key economic hubs.
“Palaging binibigyang-diin ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. na ang kinabukasan ng Mindanao ay kinabukasan ng bansa. At ngayon, ang kinabukasan ng Davao del Norte ay kinabukasan ng Mindanao,” Magno added.
The celebration, themed “DavNor@59: Building a Legacy Beyond Borders,” also highlighted the province’s expanding international partnerships and investment promotion initiatives.
One of the key developments was the visit of a delegation from the Selangor and Kelantan royal families and councils, led by His Highness Tengku Indera Pahlawan Diraja Y.A.D. Tengku Dato’ Setia Putra Alhaj, signaling stronger economic ties between Mindanao and Malaysia under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
The visit opened discussions on a proposed Davao del Norte Halal Expo, in partnership with Malaysian stakeholders, an initiative expected to boost halal trade, encourage foreign investments, and strengthen the province’s access to the fast-growing ASEAN halal market.
Governor Edwin I. Jubahib said Davao del Norte’s transformation into an insurgency-free and investment-ready province has laid the foundation for sustained economic growth and greater investor confidence.
“As we take stock of our gains and accomplishments, we take pride in our unique brand of unity in nurturing almost six decades of solidarity, progress, and resilience. We have made great progress together as one people,” Jubahib said.
Magno reaffirmed MinDA’s commitment to working with the provincial government to strengthen regional competitiveness, expand investment opportunities, and maximize Davao del Norte’s role in Mindanao’s economic transformation.
He said the Mindanao Gateway Corridor Initiative forms part of the national government’s infrastructure-led development strategy, focusing on improving transport networks, logistics systems, and market connectivity across the island.
Magno also said MinDA is intensifying Mindanao’s participation in BIMP-EAGA to facilitate cross-border trade, attract more investments, and deepen economic integration with neighboring ASEAN economies while strengthening collaboration among local governments, national agencies, and international partners.
