In a significant move to decentralize industrial growth and unlock the economic potential of Southern Philippines, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on February 24, 2026.
The agreement, signed by PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga and MinDA Chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, formalizes a collaborative framework designed to accelerate the establishment of economic zones within the Mindanao Development Corridors (MDC).
The partnership aims to transform Mindanao’s landscape by aligning ecozone expansion with regional development strategies. By doing so, both agencies ensure that incoming investments are not just figures on a ledger but are converted into sustainable jobs and localized economic opportunities.
Key components of the MOU include:
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Technical Synergy: Mutual support in technical evaluations and annual planning.
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Joint Promotion: Unified investment missions and business matching for domestic and foreign investors.
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Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Leveraging private sector efficiency to build world-class industrial infrastructure.
Currently, Mindanao hosts 42 of the country’s 436 operating economic zones. DG Panga emphasized that this partnership is a catalyst for increasing that share. “Expanding and diversifying ecozone development in Mindanao is central to PEZA’s mandate,” said DG Panga. “Under the oversight of PEZA Zone Administrator Abdullah Adel-Khan P. Alug, we will provide expert guidance on investment facilitation and incentive mechanisms to ensure these projects translate into real economic gains for the region.”
Secretary Magno reaffirmed MinDA’s commitment to bridging the gap between local government units (LGUs) and private investors. By identifying new strategic sites under the MDC framework, MinDA aims to position the region as a competitive, investment-ready hub that can stand alongside traditional urban centers.
This collaboration supports the national government’s broader goal of inclusive growth, ensuring that the “Land of Promise” finally realizes its promise through industrialization and global competitiveness.
