COTABATO CITY — The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) welcomed a business delegation from the Russian Federation on August 19 to discuss potential investments in energy and industrial development across the island.
The delegation, composed of representatives from the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and OOO Naru, was led by Andrei Miniakov, Evgeny Polkovnikov, and Igor Desiatnikov. They expressed strong interest in establishing liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply chains and energy infrastructure to support Mindanao’s industrial expansion.
MinDA Chairperson Secretary Leo Tereso Magno emphasized the agency’s commitment to advancing renewable energy solutions to meet the region’s growing demands. He noted, however, that transitional energy sources such as LNG could play a crucial role in complementing the shift toward a low-carbon future.
Magno also assured the delegation that the Philippine government, under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has enacted reforms to foster a more investor-friendly climate. These include measures to streamline investment processes and expand opportunities in the energy sector.
The engagement aligns with the Marcos administration’s broader push to diversify the country’s energy mix, attract foreign investments, and strengthen regional empowerment. Under Republic Act 12120, or the Philippine Natural Gas Industry Development Act, the government has established a framework to promote LNG as a cost-effective and secure energy source, while positioning the country as a potential hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
MinDA and the Russian delegation also explored potential collaboration on infrastructure development and public-private partnerships. According to Magno, these initiatives reflect MinDA’s “Building a Better Mindanao” campaign, which seeks to catalyze investments that uplift communities, enhance regional competitiveness, and contribute to the Philippines’ long-term energy and industrial transformation.