World Bank sees bright prospects for Northern Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines — The World Bank sees bright prospects for Northern Mindanao as it steps up support for development efforts in the entire island.

During a recent forum held in Cagayan de Oro City, World Bank and local officials noted that the region is already among the most progressive in Mindanao, having benefitted from the establishments of economic zones, heavy industries and agribusinesses.

As such, initiatives that further enhance the growth of businesses in the region would contribute to economic progress in Mindanao. Northern Mindanao groups the provinces of Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, as well as the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

World Bank country director for the Philippines Mara Warwick said the region would benefit from improving the business climate and supplying adequate power supply and a skilled labor force.

“Improved skills of the labor force, better power supply, simplified business regulations, and lower cost for starting and operating a business are important to further enhance the growth prospects of the region and the entire Mindanao,” Warwick said.

“Higher internet connectivity could promote not only job growth, but also promote internet-based delivery of health and education services to remote communities,” she added.

Northern Mindanao is part of the larger Mindanao Development Corridors, a key spatial strategy adopted by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA). This corridors strategy is targeted at improving the infrastructure, establishing connectivity, and encouraging the development of growth clusters within the island region.

Under this strategy, Northern Mindanao is envisioned to become a logistics hub as it hosts major regional airports like the Laguindingan Airport as well as seaports in Cagayan de Oro, Nasipit, Surigao, Iligan, Ozamis. The region also hosts logistics hubs like the Mindano Integrated Container Terminal that serves as the region’s links to markets in Luzon and Visayas.

“This corridor has the greatest potential to develop into a world-class industrial and services center, due to its public infrastructure suited for industrialization, the presence of eco-zones, manufacturing and processing enterprises, anchored on a huge agri-industrial base,” said MinDA secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto.

Among the programs and projects slated for implementation to improve the investment climate in Northern Mindanao and surrounding areas include the Panguil Bay Bridge which would provide uninterrupted access from Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities to Tangub, Oroquieta, and Ozamiz cities and the rest of Misamis Occidental and the Zamboanga Peninsula; the development of the airports in Ozamiz, Surigao, and Laguindingan; and the construction of the Northern Mindanao High Standard Highway.

To unlock the potential of Mindanao, Warwick also noted the need for a comprehensive strategy focused on three areas: raising the productivity of Mindanao’s farm and fisheries sector and improving its connectivity and access to local and global markets; investing in health, education, skills training, and social protection for the poor; and addressing the drivers of conflict and strengthening institutions in conflict-affected areas.