DAVAO CITY—The Board of Investments (BOI) highlighted Mindanao’s growing role in the country’s AI-based industrialization agenda during the final leg of the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) Roadshow, held as part of the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) Davao on 24 August 2026.
Anchored on the region’s strengths in manufacturing, agribusiness, renewable energy, logistics, critical minerals, digital services, and halal industries, the BOI outlined a vision for Mindanao as a strategic node for food security, integrated circuit (IC) design, and mineral processing. These capabilities position the region to support critical segments of the value chains that underpin advanced manufacturing and other technology-driven industries, identified under the 2026 SIPP.
The BOI noted that the foundations for this transformation are already being established through investments and partnerships across Mindanao. These include BOI-registered digital connectivity projects by Converge ICT Solutions Inc., InfiniVAN, and the Philippine Fiber Optic Cable Network Ltd., Inc. (PFOCN), among others, which help augment the digital infrastructure needed to support innovation and data-driven enterprises.
“The industries that will drive the next phase of growth require more than investment and infrastructure. They also require a workforce equipped with the right skills. Enabling linkages between academia and industry is essential to ensuring that our educational institutions remain responsive and that Filipino talent is prepared to meet evolving industry needs” said BOI Industry Development Services (IDS) Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa said during her presentation.
Complementing these investments, the BOI’s Academe-Industry Matching (AIM) initiative has partnered with institutions such as Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (MVC) to help align academic training with industry requirements and develop the skilled workforce needed for emerging industries.
BOI Governor Marjorie Ramos O. Samaniego noted that recent discussions surrounding Pax Silica have reinforced the importance of moving beyond resource extraction and accelerating downstream industrial activities. Mindanao’s significant mineral resources, including nickel, copper, and gold, place the region in a strong position to participate in processing, manufacturing, and other activities that generate more economic activity locally.
In one of the panel sessions, representatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) explored the policies, infrastructure, financing mechanisms, and investment priorities needed to position Mindanao as a platform for future industries.
Meanwhile, representatives from BOI, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) shared their perspectives during the session on turning investment priorities into regional opportunities.
Representing the BOI, Governor Samaniego, Executive Director Dichosa, and Investment Policy and Planning Service (IPPS) Director Sandra Marie S. Recolizado discussed how the 2026 SIPP promotes economic diversification and resilience while remaining accessible to investors of all sizes, including micro, small, and medium enterprises.
They also underscored the importance of value addition, investment-ready locations, and efficient project implementation in translating approved investments into operational businesses and quality jobs.
In her closing remarks, Governor Samaniego further stressed that “Mindanao’s next chapter should not be defined only by what it produces or supplies. It should also be defined by how much more we can build here. The real opportunity is to move further along the value chain, turning resources into products and products into industries that create more economic activity here at home.”
Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration across government and the private sector in transforming investment priorities into actual projects.
“The opportunities before Mindanao are immense and require our concerted efforts. Achieving our development goals calls for a whole-of-government approach and strong collaboration with the private sector and development partners. By working together, we can create the conditions for investments to flourish and ensure that the benefits of development reach more communities across the region,” Secretary Go said.
As steward of the SIPP, the BOI continues to advance the framework by promoting investments that generate jobs, foster enterprise growth, and encourage local industries. The Mindanao leg concludes the 2026 SIPP Roadshow series, marking the culmination of the BOI’s nationwide rollout of the country’s updated investment roadmap.
