DAVAO CITY — Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chair Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno expressed optimism on the economic outlook for Mindanao in 2025, citing key growth drivers this year.

“The economic outlook for Mindanao in 2025 is cautiously optimistic. After navigating the challenges of 2024, including global economic headwinds and inflationary pressures, Mindanao is poised to rebound by capitalizing on its strategic position, diversifying economic base, rich natural resources, and growing regional integration,” Mr. Magno told Businessworld.

Mr. Magno cited the following as key sectors driving the recovery and growth in 2025: agriculture and agribusiness, renewable energy, infrastructure development, and tourism and services.

He said for agriculture and agribusiness, Mindanao’s role as the food basket of the Philippines will strengthen, with greater emphasis on value-added processing and exports.

“Diversification into high-value crops like cacao, coffee, and durian will generate higher incomes for farmers and create rural employment,” he said.

For renewable energy, Mr. Magno said Mindanao’s transition from energy-deficient to energy surplus will deepen with the development of renewable energy projects, particularly solar, hydro, and biomass, supported by policies promoting decentralized energy systems.

“For infrastructure development, ongoing and new infrastructure projects, such as improved roads, ports, and airports, will boost interconnectivity and logistics efficiency, enhancing trade and investment opportunities within and beyond Mindanao,” he said.

For tourism and services, Mr. Magno said improved safety perceptions and new promotional efforts will attract more tourists, especially from Japan and Southeast Asian countries, creating spillover effects in retail, hospitality, and local entrepreneurship.

“Blue economy, Mindanao’s coastal communities will benefit from sustainable fisheries and aquaculture programs, alongside investments in maritime trade, creating a foundation for long-term economic sustainability,” he added.

Mr. Magno said to achieve these goals and to unlock its full potential in 2025, Mindanao must prioritize the following strategies such as strengthening Public-Private Partnerships for critical infrastructure and renewable energy projects.

He also emphasized empowering local industries by mobilizing resources for technical assistance, financing, and market access to small and medium enterprises, particularly in agribusiness and tourism.

Another approach is ensuring inclusive growth, which Mr. Magno said, can be done by prioritizing the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao and other underserved areas, integrating marginalized communities into the economic mainstream through education, livelihood programs, and equitable resource distribution.

Mr. Magno also cited promoting innovation by investing in digital infrastructure and technology adoption to boost productivity in agriculture, logistics, and services; and ensuring peace and security by sustaining partnerships with local governments and security forces to maintain peace, paving the way for investments and tourism.

“Mindanao stands on the cusp of a transformation. The narrative of a conflict-ridden region is steadily being replaced by one of resilience, innovation, and opportunity. For 2025 to truly be a breakthrough year, stakeholders must act with urgency, focus, and collaboration,” Mr. Magno said. — Maya M. Padillo

DAVAO CITY — The incoming 2025 midterm elections will be crucial for the future of Davao Region and the entire country, Regional Development Council 11 (RDC 11) co-chairperson Arturo M. Milan said in an interview.

Mr. Milan said for 2025, Davao region is expected to be slightly better during the first half of the year simply because it is an election year, however, the second half will be a crucial one, depending on the outcome of the midterm elections.

“It can make or break the economy as a whole. We need to watch this closely. The main contributor to 2025 growth will be election spending. More money will be in circulation creating temporary disposable income for people to trigger consumer spending during the first half of the year,” he told BusinessWorld.

Mr. Milan added that people can expect the implementation of government infrastructure projects, under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget in 2025.

“This increase in DPWH budget in an election year is also creating a lot of political noise from the people. Let’s remain vigilant and pray hard that the conduct of the incoming elections will be clean, honest, and orderly so that the trust and confidence of the people in our political leaders will be restored, and that progress and development will continue to reign in our country and region,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Milan observed that the economy of Davao Region in 2024 was unsatisfactory as prices of food continued to soar. He added there was no government infrastructure implemented apart from ongoing flagship projects from the previous administration.

He added that only a few new investments are coming in due to the current political situation. Unemployment is also on the rise, and tourist arrivals have been on the downtrend as fewer conferences and conventions are held in our region, particularly in Davao City.

Mr. Milan sees the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry as the only bright spot for Davao Region’s economy this 2025 as companies continue to expand their operations.

Mr. Milan said Davao Region is expected to grow from 6.5% – 7% which is a low if not the lowest growth rate compared to the recent past.

He said it will still be the service sector, particularly the wholesale and retail, and BPO subsectors, will be the main drivers of growth with contributions from private constructions. — Maya M. Padillo