Regional Development Council Chairperson Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon strongly supports the proposed plan to push the development of the Davao Region as an alternative logistics hub in Southeast Asia.

During a meeting with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) Davao District Collector Atty. Erastus Sandino Austria on Thursday, Nov. 17, in Davao City, Governor Malanyaon expressed her enthusiasm on this promising opportunity poised to boost trade and economic growth of Davao Region, including her home province of Davao Oriental.

Atty. Austria cited that the ports of neighboring countries, such as Singapore, are now getting congested, prompting them to explore alternative ports in neighboring counties, such as the Philippines.

He noted that all the elements of an ideal logistics hub are already here in the Davao region, particularly in terms of its strategic location closer to other ASEAN countries such as Singapore and Indonesia. Atty. Austria added that opening Davao Region as an alternative logistics hub could also help decongest ports in Manila, thereby cutting transport costs and facilitating efficient trade.

Governor Malanyaon said the proposal is timely with the upcoming development of Metropolitan Davao and the ongoing updating of the Davao Regional Development Plan.  She added that it is high time to explore this opportunity, especially now that the region has just been relaunched as investment and tourism-ready following its declaration as insurgency-free.

𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬, 𝗗𝗔𝗩𝗔𝗢 𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗟

While the region’s traditional gateway for trade has always been Davao City, the RDC is entertaining possibilities of exploring other alternative ports in the region, particularly the City of Mati, where one of the three subports in Mindanao is located.

According to National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Ma. Lourdes Lim, Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat has proposed a 50-hectare expansion of the city’s existing port, which aligns with the proposed plan to explore more potential markets for the region’s local products.

Facing the high seas of the Pacific, the City of Mati in Davao Oriental has vast potential as another port and a new link to the global supply chain. Atty. Austria said this could be another chapter for trade in the region to have a trading route outside the Gulf of Davao.

𝗪𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗗

In support of the proposal, Governor Malanyaon, as the RDC Chairperson, commits to revive the Davao Gulf Development Plan 2011-2013, approved by the Council way back in 2011.

With the synergy and convergence of all critical stakeholders, Gov. Malanyaon hopes this will become a key to building an economy wherein everyone benefits from shared prosperity and development. By Karen Lou Deloso | Photos by Mark Oliver Alvite