Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — May 27, 2025 — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. chaired the 16th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Leaders’ Summit on Tuesday, marking the Philippines’ lead in pushing for deeper economic cooperation within Southeast Asia. His participation came alongside the 46th ASEAN Summit, where he engaged regional leaders on shared concerns such as climate change, digital transformation, and maritime security.
Joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and key officials including Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairperson and Philippine Signing Minister for BIMP-EAGA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, Presidential Communications Secretary Jay Ruiz, and BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, President Marcos underscored the Philippines’ commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable regional development.
The BIMP-EAGA, established in 1994, is a sub-regional initiative aimed at accelerating development in geographically disadvantaged and economically lagging areas, including Mindanao and Palawan in the Philippines. Yet, questions persist: Is the BIMP-EAGA truly delivering its promised benefits to Mindanao, or is the Philippines simply playing a secondary role in a cooperation that benefits its neighbors more?
Milestones and Commitments
In his opening remarks, Marcos emphasized the need to complete key inter-island transport and digital infrastructure projects to “bridge the gaps in mobility, logistics, and broadband access—especially in underserved and remote areas.” The joint statement from BIMP-EAGA leaders reaffirmed their commitment to regional connectivity as a driver for economic and social inclusion.
Philippine Signing Minister Leo Tereso Magno reported that over the past eight years, BIMP-EAGA achieved notable progress, including:
- The launch of direct air and sea linkages such as the Kota Kinabalu-Manado air route and Zamboanga-Sandakan and Tawi-Tawi–Lahad Datu sea routes.
- Infrastructure milestones like the Panguil Bay Bridge and the Visayas-Mindanao Power Interconnection Project.
- Trade facilitation and growing involvement of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in regional commerce.
The summit also endorsed the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2035, a long-term blueprint for cooperation. A significant announcement was the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) $400-million loan for the Philippines to support marine ecosystem rehabilitation and blue economy development under its National Adaptation Plan—potentially benefiting coastal Mindanao.
Who Gains More?
Despite these gains, skepticism lingers among development observers and grassroots stakeholders in Mindanao. While national leaders lauded the 60 completed Priority Infrastructure Projects (PIPs) out of 217, the remaining projects are still in various stages of implementation.
“Most of these connectivity projects benefit the broader trade corridors. But how much of that really trickles down to conflict-affected or deeply rural communities in Mindanao?” one regional planner questioned.
Though the BIMP-EAGA positions itself as a platform to lift remote areas out of poverty, critics argue that economic benefits are disproportionately realized by more developed regions in Malaysia and Indonesia, who boast stronger infrastructure and private sector investment. Meanwhile, the Philippines, particularly Mindanao, continues to grapple with power shortages, weak logistics, and governance bottlenecks.
MinDA, however, remains optimistic. “ADB has been a steadfast partner,” Magno stated, noting the agency’s role in crafting both the 2025 and 2035 development visions. He assured continued support for climate resilience and inclusive growth in Mindanao.
ASEAN Unity or Uneven Growth?
As the Philippines takes the chairmanship of the sub-regional bloc, its challenge lies in ensuring BIMP-EAGA truly becomes a catalyst for local development rather than a diplomatic showcase of regional unity. The cultural fellowship events and high-level dialogues serve as symbols of cooperation, but for many Filipinos in the BIMP-EAGA focus areas, the ultimate measure of success lies in whether investments reach their communities.
President Marcos ended the summit by calling for “even greater synergy, innovation, and political will,” adding, “We can transform these aspirations into lasting impacts for our people.”
Yet the lingering question remains: Will Mindanao be just a bridge in BIMP-EAGA’s growth, or will it finally become a destination of real, inclusive development?