TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte — Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno has urged business leaders to take advantage of the “enabling” economic reforms of the government, and encouraged them to propose “bankable projects, forge new partnerships, and pursue innovation for development” under a shared goal of putting Mindanao at the forefront of national progress. He made the call as the guest speaker of the 34th Mindanao Business Conference, which gathered about a thousand business personalities from Mindanao and economic leaders from various chambers of commerce in the country and abroad. The government economic reforms he highlighted include Executive Order No. 18, which establishes “green lanes” to streamline and fast-track strategic investments, the Create More Act, which provides more generous and competitive tax incentives for businesses, and the Public-Private Partnership Code, which encourages collaboration between the government and the private sector on key projects. Magno noted that these reforms signal a clear priority from the President to make the Philippines a more attractive, transparent, and efficient destination for investors. He cited landmark infrastructure projects in Mindanao, such as the construction of a long flyover, modern transport terminals, expanded healthcare facilities, and climate-resilient farm-to-market roads, as examples of the shared commitment of the government and the private sector to inclusive progress. Magno assured the business sector, local government, and development institutions that MinDA stands ready to support the conference and its recommendations, which are expected to contribute to the broader vision of Building a Better Mindanao.
