Connectivity developments and why they matter

As a rich base of resources and products, improved connectivity via infrastructure, transport and telecommunications links help strengthen the Mindanao economy as it recovers, connecting more people and producers with opportunities. Recent news of developments that can improve connectivity within Mindanao have spread.

Rural Transit Mindanao launched its first ever Cagayan de Oro Cotabato City direct bus route that now links many heretofore remote Cotabato and Bukidnon towns to each other amid to the two major Mindanao cities via a newly opened highway.

Several airconditioned and non-airconditioned buses daily will ply the route which enters Cagayan de Oro passing through the Makahambus caves and the old Lumbia Airport in the highlands south of the city, known as the CDO uptown district.

This radically decreases travel time from the previous 8-9 hours to about six, thereby bringing people and goods between these two major markets. Time was when travelers from Cotabato City had to transfer buses in the municipality of Kabacan and catch the Cagayan de Oro bound bus emanating from General Santos. Kabacan is where the Sayre highway, which cuts through Bukidnon all the way to Cagayan de Oro City.

I remember the 80s, and how traveling from Davao to Cagayan de Oro required a 10-11 hour bus trip via Butuan and the Pan Philippine Highway. With the Davao Bukidnon road connecting through Dava’suplands in the late 90s and connecting with the Sayre highway, the trip shortened. With improvements on this road in the last few years we can now make the Cagayan de Oro trip in under six hours. That’s from the respective cities proper.

This new route is expected to bring more people and cargo to and from these vital hubs, creating opportunities for those in the central Mindanao and BARMM area economies straight to the CDO port, a jump off to the Visayan provinces.

Another new development boosting connectivity is the arrival of the CONVERGE cable to northern Mindanao from Cebu. This provides alternative internet connectivity for many subscribers, and can improve signals especially in the more remote towns.

These connectivity developments help the many Mindanaoans who may choose to relocate back to the island as work from home opportunities can increase. Many of them live in Manila and Cebu to work in BPOs. A recent survey by a talent firm indicates the willingness of more to relocate back home since the work from home set up facilitates this. As internet speeds increase, we may see more employees capable of the WFH set up relocating back home. (https://mb.com.ph/2021/04/25/hirers-follow-candidates-moving-back-to-provinces/)

Thank you DOST

The Department of Science and Technology along with other agencies such as the TESDA is ramping up technical support for the coconut sector in the Davao Region. Mindanao is where the big part of our country’s coconuts comes from.

This involves new technologies apart from the usual coconut oil. Already, a number of companies in the region are producing various types of products from coconut, including by products. This will enable other businesses looking to capitalize on coconut production and serve as an alternative set of buyers for coconut farmers.

That said, other resources from Mindanao's more remote areas may yet see higher demand, driving investments in minerals, which is driven by a larger need for batteries powering electric vehicles as many countries shift to electric transport against fossil fuels.

With this, it will be vital for the country to harness technology and capitalize on its resources to drive long term growth and recovery.