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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider MinDA eyes revival of Davao-Manado trade

MinDA eyes revival of Davao-Manado trade

Published Apr 11, 2026 02:50 pm
DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is pushing for the revival of the Davao-Manado trade and tourism link as the agency spearheaded an engagement along with representatives from various agencies in Indonesia.
The revival of connectivity, which falls under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) framework, aims to boost the tourism, trade, and investment cooperation, according to Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro who is also the alternate head of the Philippine National Secretariat for BIMP-EAGA.
The engagement was in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that kicked off in Manado, North Sulawesi.
Montenegro said that the recent trade mission seeks to revive direct Davao-Manado connectivity.
“This initiative focuses on revitalizing cooperation between Mindanao and North Sulawesi by promoting tourism and trade and creating the necessary demand to restore direct flights between Davao and Manado as well as shipping connectivity with Davao and Bitung,” he added.
The engagement with North Sulawesi and local stakeholders is essential for building trust, creating demand for connectivity, and fostering joint economic initiatives, the MinDA official emphasized. “By linking our tourism, trade, and investment efforts, this mission will help lay the foundation for long-term cooperation between Mindanao and North Sulawesi under BIMP-EAGA.”
Rafail Walangitan of the Directorate of Southeast Asia of Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the visit as timely.
“This visit is very timely. We see growing opportunities in fisheries, agro-industries, renewable energy, logistics, and medical devices. These efforts will be key in making our cooperation more practical, efficient, and impactful,” Walangitan said.
According to a statement from MinDA, the delegation to Manado included local officials from Davao de Oro and Davao Oriental, led by Gov. Raul Mabanglo, Davao de Oro first district Rep. Maricar Zamora-Mabanglo, and Mayors Benjie Bulaong and Juanito Inojales of Tarragona and Gov. Generoso of Davao Oriental, alongside Davao Oriental Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora-Mabanglo, Mati City Councilors Edmundo Z. Pang Jr., Xander Paul B. Alcantara, and Jerome Cayacay Dayanghirang, and Board Member Rotchie Ravelo.
Gov. Mabanglo emphasized the mission’s strategic role for Mindanao, adding that the trip is part of the next phase of collaboration among Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao Occidental.
“This mission is the next step in positioning the three Davao provinces as a gateway for BIMP-EAGA in North Sulawesi,” Mabanglo said in a meeting with North Sulawesi Gov. Yulius Selvanus.
Rep. Mabanglo emphasized the need to create more trade opportunities, particularly for agricultural produce and value-added products from Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, and Davao Occidental.
The solon added that these goods could help support the cargo requirements of airlines that may eventually serve Mati where an airport is under construction.
The three-day trade mission, which concluded on April 10, also conducted scoping activities to identify tourism circuits, explore complementary trade products, and encourage airlines and shipping companies to resume direct routes.
“These efforts aim to ensure sustainable passenger and cargo demand while expanding business opportunities for both regions,” MinDA said.
Department of Tourism-Davao region chief Tanya Rabat-Tan said that one of her agency’s priorities is the revival of the Davao-Manado connectivity.
Tan added that they are also pushing for a strong tourism agenda through education, medical and wellness, dive exchange, and adventure tourism opportunities.
Representatives of the provincial government of Davao Oriental are pushing for the development of a Mati-Tahuna air route and other possible connectivity options with North Sulawesi to strengthen tourism, trade, and regional cooperation.
This effort is in anticipation of the forthcoming opening of the airport in Mati, the provincial seat of Davao Oriental.
Both parties also discussed possible tourism circuits that include dive tourism in Bunaken and Davao Oriental; coastal and island destinations in Mindanao, and inland cultural and eco-tourism experiences.
As the Philippine Coordinating Office for BIMP-EAGA (PCOBE), MinDA serves as the official Philippine lead in advancing regional cooperation in coordinating multi-agency efforts, including tourism, trade, and investment initiatives.
Established in 1994, BIMP-EAGA is a 31-year-old sub-regional economic cooperation initiative in Southeast Asia designed to spur economic development.
The trade mission also eyeing to reestablish the air connectivity between this city and Manado.
MinDA said that it has already made initial discussions with Indonesian carrier TransNusa Air for the possible reopening of the direct Davao-Manado flights.
Proposed tourism circuits include dive tourism in Bunaken and Davao Oriental, coastal and island destinations in Mindanao, and inland cultural and eco-tourism experiences to provide a seamless travel route for both local and international visitors.
In 2018, Malaysia budget airline AirAsia ceased their four-times a week Davao-Kuala Lumpur-Davao direct flights after eight months of operation due to low passenger load.
Garuda Indonesia’s twice-weekly Davao-Manado-Davao flights were suspended in March 2020, along with other domestic and international flights, due to the pandemic.

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