The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) affirmed its full support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to accelerate priority projects identified by the regions, ensuring harmonized coordination across Mindanao, an official said Tuesday.

In a statement, MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno said the agency’s role is to guarantee that regional priorities are not only heard but acted upon. His statement followed the President’s recent meeting with the Regional Development Council in Region 9.

Magno thanked the administration for placing Mindanao at the center of national development, describing it as a genuine partnership between local communities and the national government.

He underscored the urgency of advancing infrastructure that connects communities to markets and services, including fish ports, road networks, ports and airports. These investments aim to ease transport costs, boost agricultural productivity and open economic opportunities.

“These efforts are complemented by programs of the Marcos Administration in education and skills training, equipping more Filipinos with the tools to secure sustainable livelihoods and reinforcing the administration’s recognition of Mindanao as a vital driver of national progress,” Magno said.

He noted that the MinDA Board of Directors, where Regional Development Council chairs sit as members, provides a direct channel for regional voices to be integrated into national strategies.

“By aligning regional aspirations with national strategies, and by opening doors for private sector participation through our PPP Desk, MinDA ensures that Mindanao’s development agenda moves forward with speed, coherence, and inclusivity,” he added. (PNA)