Mindanao Delegation Revives Davao-North Sulawesi Air and Sea Routes to Boost Trade and Tourism
A Mindanao delegation is renewing efforts to restore direct air and sea routes between Davao City in the Philippines and Manado and Bitung in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, aiming to strengthen trade and tourism under the BIMP-EAGA framework.
Romeo Montenegro, assistant secretary at the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), stated that officials from MinDA, the Department of Tourism, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Davao region met with North Sulawesi Governor Yulius Selvanus to discuss reviving the Davao-Manado air route and the Davao-Bitung sea link.
“This initiative focuses on revitalizing cooperation by promoting tourism and trade to create demand for direct flights and shipping connectivity,” Montenegro said. He emphasized that engaging with North Sulawesi stakeholders is crucial for building trust and fostering joint economic efforts.
BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area), established in 1994, aims to accelerate trade, investment, and tourism in less developed regions of member countries. For the Philippines, Mindanao and Palawan are key focus areas.
The Davao-Manado air route was previously served by Sriwijaya Air and Wings Air but was discontinued due to low demand. A revival attempt in 2014 also failed. The direct flight, taking just over an hour, offers a faster alternative to the lengthy Davao-Manila-Jakarta-Manado route.
Similarly, the Davao-Tahuna sea route, launched in 2014, provided a two-day journey compared to the month-long Davao-Manila-Jakarta-Manado sea route. BIMP-EAGA areas benefit from travel tax exemptions and reduced port fees.
The Mindanao delegation included Davao de Oro Governor Raul Mabanglo, Rep. Maricar Zamora-Mabanglo, and other local officials. Governor Mabanglo highlighted the mission’s role in positioning Davao as a gateway for BIMP-EAGA in North Sulawesi. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)
