Mindanao economy grew 4.69% in 2025, beating national rate, MinDA tells Davao forum

Mindanao's economy grew by 4.69 percent in 2025, ahead of the national growth rate of 4.4 percent, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tesoro Magno said at the Mindanao Development Forum (MDF) 2026, according to Mindanao Times.

The two-day forum opened on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at Dusit Thani Davao in Davao City. It brought together national and local officials, the Bangsamoro government, private firms, financial institutions and development partners.

Magno said five of Mindanao's six regions ranked among the country's 10 fastest-growing regional economies. Caraga led at 5.7 percent, with strong results also posted by the Davao Region, Northern Mindanao, the Zamboanga Peninsula and Soccsksargen. He said the forum aims to build an investment pipeline, produce policy recommendations and secure partnership agreements.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) grew by 5 percent in 2025. Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua said family poverty incidence in the region fell from 28 percent in 2021 to 23.5 percent in 2023, and that the region drew nearly ₱5 billion in investments over the past year in sectors including agriculture, fisheries, housing and logistics. "The Bangsamoro is ready to take its next step, from peace to prosperity," Macacua said.

Speaking for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Cabinet Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said Mindanao made up more than 17.2 percent of the national economy in 2025. He noted continuing problems, including uneven growth, weak farm and fisheries output, slow manufacturing growth, and persistent unemployment and underemployment. He cited national policies such as Green Lanes for Strategic Investments and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Code. More than 100 of the 265 priority infrastructure projects under the BIMP-EAGA growth area are set for Mindanao, the President's message said.

MinDA also launched the Mindanao Investment Portal, an online gateway meant to help local and foreign investors navigate business processes and support PPPs with local government units. "Today, with the portal launched, we make it easier than ever for investors to join us," Magno said.

The forum's sessions cover competitiveness, financing, PPPs, agribusiness, energy and infrastructure, along with business matching and investment pitching. Attendees included European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro, New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh, Asian Development Bank officials, National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Manny Pacquiao and Davao del Norte Governor Edwin J. Jubahib.