The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Board of Investments (BOI) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), institutionalizing a powerful partnership designed to aggressively promote Mindanao as a highly competitive, top-tier investment destination.
The strategic alliance directly aligns with the economic directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., leveraging key legislative frameworks, including the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act and Executive Order No. 18, which establishes “Green Lanes” for strategic investments. By cutting red tape and streamlining business procedures, the collaboration aims to drastically improve the ease of doing business across the region.
For MinDA Chairperson, Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, the agreement marks a turning point in shifting the historical narrative of the southern Philippine island.
“For decades, Mindanao has struggled against negative perceptions that hindered investment. This MOA with the BOI is a milestone for us,” Secretary Magno stated. “We hope to attract real development partners who can help bring Mindanao to a higher level of growth. True economic development happens when agencies work together—magkasama tayo (we are together) to empower the private sector, encourage enterprises, and generate employment.”
While both agencies have historically collaborated under the Philippine Investment Promotion Plan (PIPP), this new MOA formalizes and expands their joint operations. The unified framework focuses on three pillars: enhancing regional competitiveness, strengthening investor relations, and establishing world-class facilitation services for both prospective and existing investors.
BOI Managing Head, Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo, emphasized that unlocking Mindanao’s vast economic capacity is not just a regional victory, but a vital catalyst for the entire country.
“If we can unlock Mindanao’s full potential, it could add three to four percentage points to the country’s sustained GDP growth,” Undersecretary Rodolfo highlighted. “This partnership allows us to strategically develop industries in Mindanao, replicate success stories from other economies, and ensure long-term inclusive development.”
Moving forward, the MinDA-BOI partnership is set to drive several high-profile economic initiatives. This includes the upcoming Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) roadshows, organized in tandem with the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) and the Department of Finance (DOF).
The joint efforts will aggressively position Mindanao as a primary hub for high-growth sectors, specifically:
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Agribusiness & Mass Logistics
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Renewable Energy Development
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Sustainable Tourism
By scaling up Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and mobilizing private capital, the agreement directly complements the administration’s “Build Better More” infrastructure pipeline. Ultimately, the partnership solidifies the vision of “Building a Better Mindanao”—cementing the region’s role as a cornerstone of inclusive growth, resilience, and connectivity for the entire nation.
The high-level signing ceremony was witnessed by key officials from both agencies, including BOI Investment Promotion and Services Executive Director Eries Cagatan, BOI Acting Director Jean Traballo, MinDA Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro, and MinDA Director Rodrigo Giducos.
