CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The 2025 Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Strategic Planning Meeting commenced this week in Cagayan de Oro City, drawing over 300 delegates from its four-member countries to strategize on high-impact initiatives aimed at regional economic growth.
The annual gathering serves as a crucial platform for formulating flagship programs focused on trade facilitation, transport connectivity, investment promotion, and regional cooperation.
Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, represented by City Administrator Atty. Roy Raagas, welcomed the delegates and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to fostering regional integration.
“By strengthening collaboration, we can bridge infrastructure gaps, streamline policies, and create an enabling environment for public-private partnerships that drive sustainable and inclusive growth,” Uy stated.
Malaysia’s National Secretariat representative, Parteeben Subramaniam, underscored the importance of the meeting in addressing economic challenges and promoting regional cooperation, expressing confidence that discussions would lead to concrete programs benefiting the sub-region.
Lanao del Norte Governor and Northern Mindanao Regional Development Council Chairperson Imelda Dimaporo emphasized the importance of cross-border infrastructure and trade in economic development.
“Mindanao’s ongoing efforts to enhance connectivity and strengthen the halal industry are key strategies for regional growth and integration within the larger EAGA community,” Dimaporo noted.
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso Magno highlighted the continuous collaborative efforts among BIMP-EAGA members as essential to the region’s progress.
“The continued growth of the BIMP-EAGA region does not rely on one person alone. This is a collective effort by all its members,” Magno stated, expressing hope that the meeting would pave the way for new economic opportunities, tourism expansion, and enhanced regional security.
Key discussions on the opening day centered on the reopening of the Davao-Manado air route, expansion of digital infrastructure, and acceleration of renewable energy projects. Delegates also welcomed the continued support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in implementing the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025 priorities.
Achievements such as the BIMP-EAGA Business Council’s trade initiatives and the successful 15th BIMP-EAGA and China Senior Officials’ Meeting were recognized during the event.
The five-day conference, hosted by MinDA as the Philippine National Secretariat for BIMP-EAGA, will delve into economic policies, infrastructure development, and trade initiatives designed to bolster BIMP-EAGA’s role within the ASEAN economic community.
As the sub-region looks beyond 2025, officials emphasized the need for policy coordination, strategic investments, and strengthened regional partnerships to sustain economic momentum and ensure long-term resilience.
