Building Bridges: MinDA Pushes Transport, Trade, and Digital Links Across Mindanao for BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025

Iligan and Mindanao Connectivity as the Core of Growth

Mindanao’s future is being redefined through connectivity. During the BIMP-EAGA Trade and Tourism 2025 event, MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno highlighted that peace has created the foundation for a new phase of progress — one powered by interregional linkages and sustainable economic collaboration.

“Connectivity is the next frontier. Direct flights, sea routes, and digital links must accelerate if we want Mindanao’s full economic potential to be realized,” Magno said.

With Iligan City and the rest of Mindanao positioned strategically within Southeast Asia, MinDA’s infrastructure plans aim to revive air routes, open new sea lanes, and enhance digital corridors to link local economies to regional and global markets.

MinDA’s roadmap under BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 prioritizes:

• Revival of direct flights connecting key Mindanao hubs to Sabah and North Sulawesi
• Expansion of sea routes to boost trade logistics across ASEAN
• Upgrading transport corridors for faster and safer goods movement
• Investment in digital infrastructure to enable cross-border e-commerce and innovation

Mindanao’s Expanding Role in ASEAN Trade and Tourism

The BIMP-EAGA Trade and Tourism Fair 2025 in Davao City showcased Mindanao’s expanding influence as a hub for commerce, tourism, and investment.

Among those present were:

• DTI-XI Regional Director Romeo Castañaga, BIMP-EAGA Trade and Investment Facilitation and Promotion Cluster Chair
• DOT-XI Regional Director Tanya Rabat-Tan
• MinDA Executive Director Usec. Janet Lopoz
• MinDA Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro
• PhilExport Davao President Ferdinand Marañon

Regional partners reaffirmed their support. Malaysian Consul General Deddy Faisal emphasized the importance of reconnecting Sabah with Mindanao through direct flights, while Indonesian Consul General Agus Trenggono urged the revival of the Davao–Manado route, both seeing connectivity as key to unlocking trade and investment potential.

Call to Action: Powering Mindanao’s Next Decade of Growth

As Mindanao transitions from peace to prosperity, MinDA’s push for connectivity under the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025–2035 is shaping a regional ecosystem that attracts investors, boosts tourism, and strengthens the local economy.

With the Philippines set to chair ASEAN next year, Mindanao stands ready to lead with transparency, innovation, and regional cooperation. Communities, businesses, and local governments are urged to engage in this transformation by supporting projects that open new trade, transport, and technology corridors.