THE MINDANAO Development Authority (MinDA) formally launched on Wednesday the landmark Building a Better Mindanao (BBM) Program.
The BBM Program was launched during the opening of the Mindanao Development Forum (MDF) 2025 on October 1 at Dusit Thani Hotel, Davao City.
A BBM logo was launched during the event, where each building block represents one of the 10 agenda areas.
The 10 agenda areas for the Program are People’s Well-Being, Food–Water–Energy Security, Jobs & Industry, Connectivity, Digital Innovation, Ecological Integrity, Preparedness & Resiliency, Peace & Governance, and Enabling Conditions.
MinDA executive director Usec. Janet Lopoz said the MDF 2025 is not only about launching BBM but on forging relationships and policy discussions for the betterment of Mindanao.
“I urge everyone to connect, network, collaborate, and create partnerships and agreements, and discussions from this forum turn into policies and programs to uplift the lives of every Mindanaoan,” Lopoz said.
MDF 2025 is a two-day multi-sectoral conference from October 2-3, organized by the MinDA, co-organized by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ Philippines, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank Philippines, and the United Nations Philippines.
It brings together government agencies, the BARMM Government, development partners, private sector leaders, civil society, and academe to build partnerships for the BBM program.
In his keynote message, MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno said the two-day event is not only an avenue to celebrate the gains of Mindanao, but also a time to align priorities of the government and the community.
“To bridge gaps, harmonize efforts, and ensure that our resources are delivered where they are needed most,’” Magno said.
Magno reported in his speech that Mindanao is experiencing inclusive progress as poverty incidence is down to 23.5% in 2023 compared to 52% in 2018.
In terms of infrastructure and investment, under the Build Better More Program, which enhances connectivity through modernized ports, strategic road networks, and inter-island transport systems, there are 3,770 infra programs, 194 high-impact flagship projects approved, and P17.3 trillion in total investment under the CREATE MORE Act.
European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Massimo Santoro, reaffirmed the EU’s partnership with Mindanao.
“Events like this forum help us bridge the gap between policy-making and grassroots realities, ensuring that our partnership is rooted in genuine empathy, shared experiences, and common understanding for the Philippines’ vision—and for Mindanao,” Santoro said.
The end product of the forum is strategic action maps, formal pledges of support, and a portfolio of investment-ready projects aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028.
