DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 19 November) — The Davao City government is planning to develop a 25-hectare property in Barangay Daliao, Toril, into an economic zone through a public-private partnership (PPP) to attract investors needing manufacturing spaces.
During the Mindanao-European Economic Roundtable Discussion (MIN-EU ECORD) at Seda Abreeza, Christian Cambaya of the Davao City Investment Promotions Center (DCIPC) stated that the city is seeking investors to develop the National Development Company-owned land.
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Magno highlighted the growing infrastructure projects in Mindanao, particularly in energy, logistics, and digital connectivity, following the establishment of a PPP Center for Mindanao in September. He emphasized Mindanao’s potential as a region of opportunity rather than risk.
Cambaya noted that the underutilized five-hectare Davao Food Terminal Complex in Toril could be transformed into a manufacturing hub under a PPP scheme. He pointed out that land availability remains a challenge for attracting large-scale investors, as most existing ecozones in Davao cater to IT parks for BPO firms.
A Manila-based cold storage developer has expressed interest in the site, but no agreements have been finalized. The city aims to establish industrial parks to accommodate foreign firms, allowing them to benefit from fiscal and non-fiscal incentives offered by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA).
PEZA incentives include tax holidays, VAT exemptions, special visas for foreign nationals, and long-term land leases. These measures aim to boost investment in economic zones. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
