DAVAO CITY , Philippines – President Aquino vows to fast-track the country’s integration into the ASEAN economic community in 2015, particularly, by pushing for the further development of Mindanao.
The President recognizes the potential of Mindanao in terms of infrastructure, agriculture and tourism, which, he said, could fully be harnessed with the measures government plans take within the next two years.
“All these could only be done through accessibility and connectivity. We are working on it in different aspects to prepare Mindanao for the ASEAN integration†the President told reporters after he addressed the 22nd Mindanao Business Conference held at the SMX Convention Center, here in Davao City.
The participating business leaders sought an increase in the infrastructure budget as well as for Information Communication Technology/ transport and logistics as well as agribusiness and tourism development for Mindanao as among the policy agenda they would want the President to address.
“This is why our administration has also focused on improving transport infrastructure all across Mindanao. In fact, the DPWH has so far allocated P61.54 billion for road, bridge, and other infrastructure projects in Mindanao for 2011-2014. The good news is: This number will be increasing even more. For 2014 alone, we are proposing to Congress that the DPWH is set to allocate another P34.29 billion for projects in the region to stress the point,†the President said.
President Aquino said that work has already begun on major roads in Mindanao, such as the Lake Lanao Circumferential Road Project worth P767 million, which would be completed in February 2015.
This, as the Department of Transportation and Communication, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Philippine Port Authority are also in the process of constructing or rehabilitating 15 airports and 46 ports; and this is not including the Laguindingan Airport, which finally began operations a few months ago after being put off for 22 years.
The President wants to see a Mindanao economy no longer stifled by a lack of proper roads, ports, or airports.
Aside from an increase in the infrastructure budget, the Mindanao business leaders also asked for access to financing for small and medium enterprises in the island.
The Mindanao business leaders also sought a review of the Cabotage Law, the full implementation of Renewable Energy Law, and the establishment of one-stop-shop facilitation and processing centers for RE projects in Mindanao.
The full rehabilitation of the Agus and Pulangi hydro plants is also being asked by the Mindanao business leaders.
“From the onset, we had also identified a problem in the region’s power sector – one that needed to be addressed to guarantee growth. As much as we wanted to, we could not solve this problem overnight. 200 megawatts of power cannot be bought in a corner hardware store. It takes a minimum of three years to build a coal power plant, which is why the moment we stepped into office, we worked to enact the structural changes necessary to attract more investors in the power sector in Mindanao. Right now, we are on track to end the energy deficit by 2015 – during which we foresee Mindanao to already have a surplus†the President further said.