Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol has urged members of the Association of Regional Executives of National Agencies in Region 11 (ARENA-11) to closely collaborate on planning and implementing development programs and projects in Davao Region.

“I am proposing that we should have a quarterly meeting so we can sit down together in one big table, compare notes, and set common goals,” Piñol said in a press statement released on Wednesday.

Piñol, called on the regional executive of national line agencies to “come up with collaborated and synchronized approaches to different problems that stand in the way to the development of Mindanao.”

Piñol made the call during the ARENA-11 4th quarter flag-raising ceremony on Monday at the People’s Park in Davao City.

Piñol said the collaboration was important to MinDA’s focus on achieving lasting peace on the island, increasing agricultural productivity and alleviating poverty.

He also reiterated the importance of “putting agriculture and people at the center of development,” saying this will “provide concrete solutions to the problems that have constantly challenged the socioeconomic landscape” of the island-region.

The MinDa chief also expressed optimism that Mindanao “remains fortunate to have a government agency that harmonizes and unites the development initiatives of both the public and private sectors.”

“It is only Mindanao, which has an agency focused mainly on orchestrating and synchronizing efforts of the government,” he said.

MinDa’s flagship programs, he said, include the linking of the island’s fruit farmers to markets in Luzon and Visayas, the hog industry’s development and protection, growing and marketing of premium organic rice, exporting of young coconuts, Mindanao Rural Water System program, promotion Mindanao’s beauty and bounty, BARMM advocacy, MinSuPala Games, and sustaining the Davao-Manado air connectivity.” (PNA)