Davao City, Philippines — July 16, 2025 — The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has reiterated its strong commitment to climate action and sustainable development during the Climate Solutions Forum held at Dusit D2 Hotel, Davao City.
Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro represented MinDA at the high-level forum organized by the German Embassy and the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP). The event gathered key stakeholders from government, foreign embassies, international organizations, local government units (LGUs), and sustainability-focused enterprises to discuss and drive forward the Philippines’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
Asec. Montenegro took part in a panel discussion titled “Advancing the Philippines’ NDC for a Sustainable Future,” where he shared MinDA’s strategies in embedding climate-smart policies into Mindanao’s long-term development roadmap.
Delivering the closing message on behalf of MinDA Chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, Asec. Montenegro emphasized that sustainable economic development and climate resilience are deeply intertwined—especially in a region like Mindanao that is rich in natural resources but faces longstanding vulnerabilities.
“Climate resilience and economic development are no longer parallel tracks; they are one and the same. For Mindanao, a region blessed with natural abundance yet burdened by historic vulnerabilities, this convergence is both an opportunity and an imperative,” Secretary Magno said in his message.
The statement also highlighted MinDA’s flagship Building a Better Mindanao campaign, which integrates national climate goals into regional programs, including the deployment of solar microgrids in off-grid communities and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture in Indigenous ancestral domains.
“At MinDA, we are aligning our development agenda with this national thrust. From solar microgrids to climate-smart agriculture, we are investing in local solutions with global impact,” Secretary Magno added.
MinDA also expressed full support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030 and to fast-track the country’s transition to renewable energy sources.
As the lead development agency for Mindanao, MinDA plays a key role in localizing national climate directives through inclusive, community-based programs. The agency underscored the importance of continued international collaboration, particularly with partners like Germany and the ECCP, in advancing green innovation and inclusive growth across the island.
The Climate Solutions Forum served as a vital platform for enhancing cooperation and aligning regional initiatives with global climate goals. With renewed energy from the event, MinDA reaffirmed its mission to ensure Mindanao not only keeps pace with national development but emerges as a leader in climate-resilient and sustainable transformation.