President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened the Regional Development Council (RDC) IX on Thursday to accelerate high-impact infrastructure projects designed to transform the Zamboanga Peninsula into a hub for regional connectivity and agricultural productivity.
Presiding over the meeting at Camp Major Cesar Sang-an in Labangan, the President met with Cabinet officials and RDC IX members to address developmental bottlenecks and ensure the timely delivery of vital public works.
A central focus of the discussion was the Zamboanga Fish Port Complex Improvement, a flagship project scheduled for completion this year. The President also reviewed a suite of connectivity projects aimed at linking rural production areas to major markets, including:
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Road Networks: The Sindangan-Bayog-Lakewood Road and the Mindanao Road Sector Project (Improving Growth Corridors).
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National Arteries: Significant improvements to the Daang Maharlika and the Western Nautical Highway Network.
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Tourism & Access: Development of coastal roads along the Rock Dive Inn, Crystal, Azul Mar, and Solaj beach corridors, targeted for completion within the next two years.
Looking toward long-term growth, the Council provided updates on “pipeline” projects, most notably the new Zamboanga Airport, the San Ramon New Port Project, and the Zamboanga Peninsula Integrated Fisheries Development Complex.
President Marcos emphasized that physical infrastructure is the backbone of broader social reform. To address regional challenges such as poverty and education gaps, the President issued the following directives:
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Education: The Department of Education (DepEd) and partner agencies must accelerate reforms in skills training to ensure the local workforce is prepared for emerging industries.
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Agriculture: The Department of Agriculture (DA) is tasked with ramping up modernization efforts to increase yields for farmers and fisherfolk. “The National Government is committed to expediting these priority projects. Our goal is clear: reduce poverty, modernize the agri-fishery sector, and ensure that the Zamboanga Peninsula contributes significantly to our national progress,” President Marcos stated.
The meeting underscores the administration’s strategy of localized governance, ensuring that national resources are directly aligned with the specific geographical and economic needs of Mindanao.
