PANABO CITY, Davao del Norte — As the Philippines continues to expand its trade and industrial capabilities, regional economic hubs are playing an increasingly important role in supporting business growth and access to international markets. Among them, Panabo City in Davao del Norte is strengthening its position as an industrial and logistics hub, supported by investments from homegrown conglomerate ANFLOCOR Group of Companies that complement established trade gateways across Luzon and the Visayas.
Strategically located along the Davao Gulf growth corridor, Panabo combines an established export economy with port connectivity and growing industrial infrastructure. These advantages position the city to support businesses seeking to strengthen their supply chains and establish operations outside traditional economic centers.
“Strengthening the country’s trade competitiveness requires continued investment in industrial and logistics infrastructure across the regions,” said Ricardo Floirendo Lagdameo, President of Damosa Land, Inc. (DLI), the property development and management arm of ANFLOCOR Group. “Mindanao has the resources, talent, and infrastructure to play a greater role in Philippine trade, and developments in Panabo City demonstrate how regional industrial hubs can support business expansion while contributing to more balanced economic growth.”
Building on Mindanao’s export strength
Panabo’s investment potential is supported by Davao Region’s expanding trade activity. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the region recorded USD 1.98 billion in total external trade in the fourth quarter of 2025, an increase of 19.18% year-on-year. Export earnings reached USD 1.01 billion, growing 37.67% over the same period.
While agricultural commodities remain a major contributor, the region’s trade activity underscores the importance of infrastructure that connects production centers, manufacturers, and international markets.
Supporting this connectivity is the Davao International Container Terminal (DICT), part of the ANFLOCOR Group, which handles an average of 350,000 twenty-foot equivalent units annually, with major shipping lines such as CMA CGM, SITC, Wan Hai, and ONE connecting the port to major ports and transshipment hubs in China, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, and Indonesia. These established international shipping connections underscore DICT’s vital role in facilitating Mindanao’s participation in global trade and strengthening the region’s position as a competitive export and import hub.
Approximately 300 meters from DICT is Anflo Industrial Estate (AIE), a 63-hectare, Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)-registered industrial development by DLI. Its proximity to the port provides businesses with access to maritime logistics infrastructure, potentially reducing inland transport requirements and improving operational efficiency.
Now marking its tenth year, AIE and its locators have attracted an estimated PHP 8.5 billion in combined capital investments. The estate accommodates manufacturing, processing, warehousing, and export-oriented businesses, supported by industrial facilities and infrastructure designed for long-term operations.
Investment activity at AIE continues in 2026, with the addition of GMAC Logitech Refrigeration Corporation’s cold storage facility and the anticipated launch of another international manufacturing operation that will tap into Mindanao’s agricultural resources toward the end of the year. These developments reinforce Panabo City’s expanding industrial ecosystem, supporting both the logistics infrastructure and value-added manufacturing capabilities needed to connect Mindanao’s industries with domestic and international markets.
Strengthening regional investment opportunities
Beyond AIE, ANFLOCOR is expanding its contribution to Panabo’s industrial growth through its partnership with PHINMA’s Philcement Corporation. The joint venture involves the development of a cement manufacturing facility with a planned annual capacity of two million metric tons, alongside dedicated bulk cargo handling infrastructure near DICT. The project is expected to strengthen the region’s construction materials supply chain and support Mindanao’s infrastructure development.
Together, these investments demonstrate how ANFLOCOR’s interconnected businesses are helping create opportunities for employment, local enterprise development, and greater participation in regional and global value chains. Mindanao’s agricultural strengths further reinforce these opportunities, with abundant production of bananas, coconuts, and other high-value crops supporting export activity.
As businesses explore opportunities for growth across the Philippines, regional industrial hubs such as Panabo offer a strategic location for expansion while building on Mindanao’s existing economic strengths. Continued investment in industrial facilities, transport connectivity, and workforce development will be critical to sustaining this momentum.
“Strengthening Philippine trade competitiveness means creating opportunities for businesses to grow beyond traditional economic centers. Through AIE, we want to demonstrate how strategically planned industrial developments can attract investments, support local industries, and contribute to Mindanao’s long-term economic progress,” Lagdameo concluded.
With ANFLOCOR’s continued investments in industrial facilities, port connectivity, and strategic partnerships, Panabo City is well-positioned to complement the country’s established trade gateways and contribute to a more connected and competitive Philippine economy.
Discover how AIE contributes to Mindanao’s growth. Visit https://anfloindustrialestate.com/ to learn more.
