Thursday, November 21, 2024

Tag: Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

25 delegates from Mindanao to join international expo in Sabah

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DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 13 Sept)—A total of 25 delegates from Mindanao and Palawan will join the Sabah International Expo from September 22 to 24 in Malaysia in the hopes of increasing trade exports to countries in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, and official of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said

During the “Wednesdays Media Forum at Habi at Kape,” Anelyn G. Binancillan, Investment Promotion Division development management officer IV, said that delegates would showcase the strength of Mindanao, particularly agricultural and tourism products and services, during the international expo at Sabah International Convention Centre.

She said they hope to generate interest from business counterparts for the various goods offered by companies in Mindanao, which remains a net importer of goods from its neighbors in the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

Binancillan said it has always been their objective to promote Mindanao-produced goods and make them more visible in the markets across Southeast Asia.

“Overall, how are we faring in terms of trade? We are more on imports rather than exports,” she said.

She said among the companies participating in the expo are Hijo Resources, Bioskin Tech Laboratories Inc., Treelife, DusitD2 Davao, and Aleson Shipping, but added that there are more companies from Western Mindanao and Northern Mindanao who are interested to join the delegation.

She said the delegation also includes different government agencies, chambers of commerce from Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Palawan.

Romeo L. Castañaga, assistant regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry-Davao, said that exhibitors from across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Middle East have also been invited to the international expo.

He said around 20 countries will join the expo.

Binancillan added that Mindanao-based companies are expected to hold business-to-business matching sessions with their counterparts.She said that the products that will be exhibited include banana-based products like chips and flour, coco-based products like sugar and other derivatives, chocolate products, abaca bags and home decor, skincare, and tourism packages.

Binancillan said there is a direct sea link being serviced by a passenger vessel of Aleson Shipping from Zamboanga City to Sandakan in Malaysia.

She said they are supporting the move of the autonomous Bangsamoro government to put a cargo vessel along this route to promote trade between these areas since Malaysia is geographically closer to the Zamboanga Peninsula and BARMM. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

ROTC Games Mindanao Leg kicks off in Zambo

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ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Philippine ROTC Games Mindanao Leg kicked off Sunday during ceremonies held at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex with Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio as guest of honor

The Philippine ROTC Games (PRG) brings together Reserved Officer Training Course cadets from Regions 9 to 12, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and is spoken as a demonstration of the indomitable spirit of the Filipino youth who are committed to participate in nation building.

The week-long PRG will be up to September 2 and will feature athletics, swimming, boxing, arnis, weightlifting, kickboxing, e-sports, basketball, and volleyball.

“Maraming salamat sa inyong pagmamahal sa ating bayan, thank you for showing that there is hope, may pag-asa at may maaasahan tayo sa ating mga kabataan,” Duterte addressed the ROTC cadets.

Zamboanga City Mayor John Dalipe, in welcoming guests and regional delegations, said the ROTC Games celebrates the spirit of camaraderie, discipline, and patriotism that the ROTC embodies.

“The ROTC has been an integral part of our nation’s history as it instills values of discipline, duty, and love for the country of our youth,” Dalipe said.

He commended the organizers and the agencies concerned for making the Games possible, even as he expressed his all-out support for the event in keeping with his administration’s advocacy to promote Zamboanga City as a regional sports tourism destination.

Sen. Francis Tolentino, ROTC honorary chair, thanked Duterte for her “truly significant” presence, genuinely advocating youth and sports development through military service.

Themed “Tibay at Galing ay Pagyamanin, Suportahan ang Palarong ROTC Natin,” the Games involves the ROTC units of the main service branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy.

Among the distinguished visitors during the kickoff were Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, who represented PSC Consultant Kirsten Evan Regodon; representatives from the Commission on Higher Education; officials from the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force; Zamboanga City Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja; members of the City Council; and officials from the six participating regions in Mindanao.

World and Asian champions performed the torch relay and lighting of cauldron Rose Jean Ramos, Albert Ian delos Santos, Angeline Colonia, Rosalinda Faustino, Alexzandra Ann Diaz, and Jhon Peralta—all of Zamboanga City. (Frencie L. Carreon / MindaNews)

Mindanao economy posts 7.2% GRDP growth in 2022

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DAVAO CITY – Mindanao has once more demonstrated its worth as a key contributor to the country’s economic growth by posting 7.2 percent Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) last year

In a statement on May 03, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) pointed to the “much-improved peace and order” situation in Mindanao in recent years as one of the main contributing factors to the island region’s economic growth.

Despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, MinDA pointed out that Mindanao has shown resilience and adaptability in its economic activities, thereby attracting more investors and tourists to the area.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), in a separate statement Tuesday, noted Mindanao’s remarkable economic standing in 2022 as only slightly lower than the national GDP of 7.6 percent.

Among the regions in Mindanao, the PSA said Davao Region led the pack with an impressive 8.15 percent growth rate, while Caraga trailed behind at 5.9 percent.

The other expenses in Mindanao—Regions 9, 10, 12, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)—also recorded positive growth rates ranging from 6.59 percent to 7.5 percent.

Still, MinDA chair Maria Belen Acosta said there is still much work to be done to sustain and further accelerate Mindanao’s growth trajectory.

Acosta cited the continued growth of the agriculture and fisheries sectors, the development of the infrastructure and tourism industries, and increasing investments in the region remains as crucial factors for progress in the area.

“Overall, the strong economic performance of Mindanao in 2022 is a promising sign for the region’s future, and it is hoped that this growth will continue in the years to come,” she said. (Che Palicte/PNA)

DA to strengthen halal industry in NorMin

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), under the helm of DA-10 OIC Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, welcomed DA Undersecretary for Special Concerns and for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Engr. Zamzamin L. Ampatuan, during his visit on March 10, 2023 at the agency compound

The DA-10 Regional Agricultural and Engineering Division (RAED), Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Division (AMAD), and the Livestock Program convened with the DA official to discuss halal production and its market demand in Northern Mindanao.
Recognizing the growing population of Muslims and their demand for halal-certified products, DA USec Ampatuan underscored that halal production should be vigorously pursued in the region, as it plays a major role in improving food safety and quality, as well as in providing employment opportunities for communities locally.

The undersecretary added that it will also help promote cultural awareness and understanding between different religious groups.
To meet said demand, DA-10 assures to strengthen its production of beef, goat, and chicken, as these are among the most popular types of halal meat. Of which, priority for production are those high-density cities in NorMin, where Halal sections in different markets are eyed to be established.

Overall, to strengthen the Halal industry, the body looks forward to the construction of a village-type Halal slaughterhouse to be designed by RAED; the establishment of a Halal multiplier farm courtesy of the Livestock program; and the continued conduct of a series of Halal production workshops to be spearheaded by AMAD. # (RDMElloren/DA RFO-10)

MinDA, UN office partner for Mindanao dev’t

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DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) signed a partnership Wednesday to provide various developments in the island region

MinDA Secretary Maria Belen Acosta and Oscar Marenco, the UNOPS country manager, agreed to cooperate on technical assistance in infrastructure master planning and project priority identification, as well as consideration of possible mechanisms for the development of infrastructure projects.

Likewise, both parties also agreed to provide technical assistance and advisory services for infrastructure projects and to support project implementation through project management, supervision, monitoring, and evaluation.

“We share the vision of MinDA that there will only be sustainable development in Mindanao if there’s peace and stability. The vision that MinDA has is the vision that UNOPs and the UN system would like really to support,” Marenco said in a press briefing.

One of the major plans for the partnership, he said, is the setup of a project preparation facility (PPF), a rolling fund for local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges, and other Mindanao partners.

“What we are creating is a financial vehicle; we are investing PPF to the Philippines level. The pledges of support in terms of finances are coming next starting with small financing to several partners,” Marenco said, adding that there is no exact amount determined yet for its allocation.

Following the signing, the UNOPs and MinDA team will formulate the guidelines for availing the facility seen to take place by next year.

Marenco said they are targeting two areas for the initiative – the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and other areas in Mindanao.

“We have a situation in BARMM that is very specific. Sixty-five percent of the whole support of the UN system is focused on BARMM but this is a transitional stage, and they need additional support not only from the national level but development partners as well,” he said.

For MinDA’s part, Acosta said they will look into the needs of the LGUs in terms of the project and match it to the provider.

“That is the task of MinDA to harmonize, integrate, and that no one is left behind. With the partnership with UNOPS, it will become more efficient since MinDA, as a government agency has limitations,” she said. (Che Palicte/PNA)