BIMP-EAGA Programs

Programs

Garuda Indonesia Airlines revived the Davao (PH) – Manado (IND) air linkage last 27 September 2019. As one of the major achievements of MinDA in the BIMP-EAGA sub-regional cooperation, the said airline has commenced operating with ATR 72-600 that can accommodate 70 passengers. Revival of Davao – Manado Air Connectivity

This new direct flight is seen to increase tourist arrivals and trade opportunities between the two BIMP-EAGA focus areas. MinDA is preparing various trade, tourism, and educational missions starting January 2020 to support the sustainability of the said route. Support to the Davao – General Santos – Bitung Sea Linkage

Another milestone for Mindanao this year is the resumption of the Mindanao-North Sulawesi sea connectivity launched last 30 April 2017. MinDA spearheaded inter-agency coordination meetings leading to the soft-sailing of Reefer Express Line Filipinas Incorporated, which is currently serving the Davao-Bitung shipping route, with extended links to Labuan, Malaysia and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

As the Philippine Coordinating Office for BIMP-EAGA, MinDA is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs for the proposed convening of the security sectors of the four-member countries, in response to the President’s call for enhanced maritime security cooperation during the 13th BIMP-EAGA Leaders’ Summit last 23 June 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand.

MAGUINDANAO ECOZONE

Secretary Emmanuel Piñol met Sabah Chief Minister YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Mohd Shafie Bin Apdal to discuss trade and other economic cooperation initiatives last 22 November 2019 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. MinDA Chairman High Level Meeting with Sabah Chief Minister

They discussed in the meeting potential export of Mindanao mangoes and Cavendish banana to Kota Kinabalu. Chief Minister Apdal also informed the Philippine delegation about the increased demand of quality food for the estimated 4-million tourists who come to Kota Kinabalu every year.

Key projects crucial for Mindanao were adopted under the BIMPEAGA Priority Infrastructure Projects including the Tawi-Tawi Special Economic and Freeport Zone, NorthWestern Central Mindanao (NWCM) AgroIndustrial Freeport Zones (AEZs), and the Agroeconomic Zones (AEZs) in Mindanao. Priority Infrastructure Projects (PIPs)

Malaysia hosted this year’s BIMPEAGA Senior Officials and Ministerial Meetings and Other Related Meetings (SOM/MM) on 21 – 24 November 2019 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. 2019 Senior Officials and Ministerial Meetings

Ministers, Senior Officials, development partners’ representatives, and members of different Clusters and Working Groups all over sub-region convened to present 2019 milestones on EAGA priority projects and programs.

Philippine Signing Minister and MinDA Chairman Emmanuel Piñol proposed new EAGA initiatives for the approval of the BIMP-EAGA Leaders. The proposal include utilization of digital platform to support BIMP-EAGA markets, enhancement of palm oil industry, and promotion of sports and cultural-related initiatives such as Musica Malayan (song competition) and football games to enhance people-to-people connectivity, among others.

2nd BUDAYAW Festival of Cultures and the Arts

Seventy five (75) Mindanao delegates represented the Philippines during the 2nd BIMPEAGA BUDAYAW Festival of Culture and the Arts last 19-23 November 2019 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Facilitated by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as the Country Head of Delegation, MinDA and the Department of Tourism (DOT), more than four hundred (400) cultural masters and artists from the membercountries gathered to celebrate the colourful heritage and relive the cultural diversity of the sub-region.

It strengthened appreciation and understanding of the importance of preserving and promoting the culture and arts of BIMP-EAGA, as well as how such initiative offers a beautiful and powerful platform of people-to-people connectivity.