Zamboanga City – A new chapter is emerging in Mindanao—one marked not by conflict, but by confidence in the island’s future. With peace steadily taking root across Regions IX to XIII and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the momentum for development is gaining speed. And at the heart of this transformation is Zamboanga City, where economic ambitions now ride high on the wave of newfound stability.
This optimism resonated during a recent meeting between the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (ZAMBOECOZONE), led by MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno. His message was clear: the time for growth has come.
“Maganda na ho ang sitwasyon ng ating peace and order. Oras na pong pumasok ang development,” said Magno, affirming that the once-elusive peace in Mindanao has now opened the floodgates to investment and progress.
Backed by Policy, Driven by Vision
The call for development is not happening in a vacuum. It is strongly supported by national policy—particularly the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) law, signed in November 2024 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
CREATE MORE is a bold reform aimed at making the Philippines more attractive to investors. For Mindanao, it’s a game-changer. The law enhances tax incentives, simplifies investment procedures, and empowers ecozones like ZAMBOECOZONE to become hubs of economic dynamism.
“Ang mga economic zones ay isa sa mga ipinopromote ng ating mahal na Pangulo,” Magno emphasized. “Naniniwala siya na ito ang susi sa mga benepisyo para sa investors, sa mga gustong tumulong at mag-develop sa isang lugar.”
ZAMBOECOZONE, in particular, is being positioned as a cornerstone of this economic vision. With enhanced powers under CREATE MORE, it can now offer better fiscal packages and more investor-friendly policies. For Secretary Magno, it’s clear: Mindanao is not just ready for change—it’s inviting it.
Building a Better Mindanao
The conversation also touched on the “Building a Better Mindanao” initiative, a campaign that encapsulates the government’s broader commitment to inclusive and long-term development in the island. According to Magno, Mindanao is ready—its policies, infrastructure, and people are aligned to welcome a future built on peace and prosperity.
ZAMBOECOZONE Chairman and Administrator Dr. Raul M. Regondola echoed this vision during his presentation of the ecozone’s current and upcoming projects. These range from modern logistics hubs to smart infrastructure, all geared not just toward attracting business, but toward making a tangible impact on the lives of Mindanawons.
“We are designing these initiatives not just for economic growth,” Regondola said, “but for social transformation. We want these investments to ripple through communities, lifting lives along the way.”
A Shared Commitment
The meeting ended on a high note—with a shared resolve between MinDA and ZAMBOECOZONE to turn Mindanao’s potential into performance. Secretary Magno lauded the proactive steps taken by the ecozone, affirming its role in the larger tapestry of regional development.
Their common mission: to ensure that peace in Mindanao is not only preserved, but harnessed as a platform for progress.
As investments begin to flow and infrastructure begins to rise, one thing is certain—Mindanao is no longer a story of what could be. It is a living narrative of what’s happening now. And Zamboanga City is helping lead the way.
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