DAVAO CITY — The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands reaffirmed their commitment to advancing inclusive, sustainable, and peace-centered development in Mindanao during a courtesy visit held on Friday morning, November 7, 2025, at the MinDA Office in Davao City.
Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno warmly welcomed His Excellency Robert Van Der Hum, Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Philippines, in a meeting that underscored the shared vision of both sides for resilient and progressive Mindanao communities.
Their discussion focused on strengthening cooperation in sustainable farming, inclusive growth, and peacebuilding — areas that lie at the core of MinDA’s mandate and the Netherlands’ global development priorities. Secretary Magno reaffirmed MinDA’s commitment to inclusive and climate-resilient growth, citing the ongoing collaboration with PUM Netherlands, a volunteer-driven organization that provides technical assistance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in agriculture, food processing, tourism, and entrepreneurship.
Joining the meeting were Honorary Consul of the Netherlands in Mindanao Simon Bakker and MinDA Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro, who both highlighted the importance of international cooperation in realizing Mindanao’s economic transformation.
The courtesy visit supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen foreign partnerships that advance regional development, particularly through investment in halal industries, eco-tourism, and green technologies. Both sides also explored opportunities for collaboration in post-conflict rehabilitation and community-based peacebuilding — key pillars in the Marcos administration’s inclusive development strategy for Mindanao.
The meeting marks another milestone in MinDA’s growing engagement with European partners, particularly the Netherlands, as both nations pursue innovation-driven and sustainable pathways toward regional progress. It also reinforces the government’s broader push for convergence-based diplomacy and corridor-focused growth — ensuring that Mindanao remains a cornerstone of the Philippines’ long-term vision for equitable national development.