DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), under the leadership of Chairperson Leo Tereso A. Magno, has strengthened its commitment to advancing peace and development in Mindanao through a strategic alliance with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC). A high-level meeting held on January 15 at the MinDA office in Davao City brought together key stakeholders to align efforts for the forthcoming Partnerships for Peace and Development in Mindanao Programme.
The EU delegation, led by Marco Gemmer, Head of Delegation, and Matija Kovač representing the UNRC, joined MinDA officials to discuss strategies for sustaining peace gains and promoting regional stability, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“Mindanao is entering a new chapter of peace-building and rapid economic development, especially in the BARMM. We deeply value the steadfast support of our international partners, ensuring that our initiatives are meaningful and impactful at the grassroots level,” said Secretary Magno.
The program, backed by a €27-million EU fund, is designed to bolster the resilience of vulnerable groups, including Indigenous Peoples (IPs), women, children, youth, and internally displaced persons (IDPs). It aims to consolidate the region’s peace dividends while addressing the root causes of conflict and instability.
Aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s human rights-centered peace and security policy, the initiative underscores the importance of an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to build a peaceful and dynamic Mindanao economy.
Implementation of the Partnerships for Peace and Development in Mindanao Programme will involve collaboration between MinDA, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), and the BARMM government. Attending the meeting were MinDA Executive Director Janet Lopoz, Deputy Executive Director Romeo Montenegro, Director for Area Management Concerns Olie Dagala, and EU Program Officers Emily Mercado and Myrto Crysofudo.
“This collaborative initiative reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering a resilient and inclusive future for Mindanao, ensuring no one is left behind in the region’s journey toward sustainable peace and progress,” Magno emphasized.
The Partnerships for Peace and Development in Mindanao Programme highlights international cooperation as a critical pillar in Mindanao’s transformation into a beacon of peace-building and economic progress in the Philippines.