#MINDANAO I am a collector of books. Despite the popularity of online publishing, I still find the finely printed word on book paper alluring. This is even better if the volume is hardbound with a thick spine and a well-designed, crisp jacket. Of late, the books I have taken a liking to are...
#MINDANAO A few business leaders from the island reacted to my May 15, 2023 column on the Mindanao economy’s 2022 Gross Regional Development Product (GRDP). One of the assertions is that this growth would have been higher if inflation had been lowered sooner. Higher growth would have ensured a...
#MINDANAO In discussions on the issue of amending certain constitutional provisions to allow more foreign ownership in certain economic sectors, it is clear that we need foreign investments to bring capital and technology to develop our resources to meet the needs of present and future generations....
#MINDANAO Last May 18, the second Mindanao Development Forum was hosted by the Mindanao Development Authority at a large venue in Davao City. The one-day event was graced by a host of stakeholders, including high-level national government officials, government agency representatives, international...
*#MINDANAO * The recent announcement on the Mindanao Development Authority’s social media page that Mindanao’s average Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) growth rate reached 7.2 percent is impressive. All regions exhibited 2022 growth that exceeds my expectations. This ranged from the...
#MINDANAO It is often said that behavior builds culture. As earth month is upon us, it may be appropriate to note our behavior towards the environment, in the way we manage our wastes in particular. In my many road trips, I often stop at fast food restaurants for a cup of coffee or a meal. I notice...
#MINDANAO GENERAL SANTOS CITY –Arriving at this bustling city of almost 700,000 people for the first time since 2019, I sensed that things are not only really getting back to normal, but actually looking up. Driving down the highway from Davao to General Santos (Gensan) brings one first to Digos...
#MINDANAO John Tria ILIGAN CITY — Walking along the halls of a major shopping mall in this northern Mindanao city, I see a large art exhibit. What impressed me was that near the exhibit were restaurants that serve wonderful native food and a music store that offers a rather substantial...
#MINDANAO John Tria In last week’s column I talked about being in a unique moment in our economic history, where much innovation, technology and new reforms can keep our economy growing in the post pandemic recovery era. It goes without saying that we must maximize the opportunities in this...
#MINDANAO John Tria Davao City — I just came from the launch of the first Mindanao Travel Expo at a major convention center in the city. Graced by no less than Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, the event brought together tourism stakeholders including the DOT officialdom, the LGU tourism...
#MINDANAO John Tria I traveled the length of the Davao Cotabato highway last week. I caught sight of the famous gorgeous sunset over the Moro Gulf. Travelling the five-hour stretch between Davao and Cotabato cities, at daytime and nigh time, I passed many parts of a four-lane, well-lit highway,...
#MINDANAO John Tria Travelling between major cities in Mindanao, I cannot help but be awed by their rising skylines. New private property development projects are transforming the urban landscape, as townships combining residential and commercial establishments create work and living spaces that...
