Mindanao Development Authority - South Central Mindanao

14/05/2026

07/05/2026

MinDA Strengthens Regional Collaboration in MSAC XII 1st Semester Meeting

Koronadal City, South Cotabato – A resolution was passed confirming the membership of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) in the Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Committee (MSAC) Region XII during the CY 2026 1st Semester Meeting held on May 5, 2026 at the DILG XII Building, Koronadal City. Representing MinDA, Area Management Office – South Central Mindanao Chief Gerardo Ramon Cesar Reynaldo presented the agency’s priority programs and key initiatives supporting inclusive and sustainable development in the region.

The meeting was chaired by Mahintana Foundation Executive Director Ms. Liza D. Lopez and attended by DILG XII Regional Director Atty. Rochelle D. Mahinay-Sero, CESO III, along with representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, academe, and the private sector.

Key agenda items included the ceremonial signing of the Adopt-a-Barangay Project Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), updates on the Project Monitoring Learning Hub SOCCSKSARGEN, the revised operations manual of the CSO Academy of SOCCSKSARGEN, and an orientation on the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP). The committee also discussed the implementation status of the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPAHP) and the adoption of the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) among local government units, regional line agencies, and private sector partners.

The MSAC XII convenes twice a year, with the 2nd Semester Meeting tentatively scheduled for November 2026.

With its formal inclusion in MSAC XII, MinDA further reinforces its role as a key driver of integrated and inclusive development in Mindanao. By actively engaging in multi-stakeholder platforms, the Authority strengthens coordination across sectors, aligns regional priorities, and advances strategic initiatives that promote resilience, economic growth, and improved quality of life for communities across Region XII and beyond.

05/05/2026

LOOK: The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Allah Valley Landscape Development Alliance (AVLDA) during the 2026 1st AVLDA Board of Directors Meeting held in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat on April 22, 2026. Represented by its Area Management Office–South Central Mindanao (AMO-SCM) and led by Gerardo Ramon Cesar B. Reynaldo, MinDA’s election to the position underscores its strengthened leadership role in advancing sustainable and climate-resilient development in the Allah Valley.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders to discuss ongoing initiatives and reinforce collaborative efforts toward integrated landscape management. MinDA’s appointment as Co-Chair further enhances its role in fostering multi-sectoral partnerships and supporting long-term development strategies in the region.

A key program discussed during the meeting was the Bamboo-based Farming System (BFS) developed by AVLDA. This approach promotes the strategic planting of bamboo in strips alongside existing crops, allowing farmers to maintain productivity while enhancing environmental protection. The BFS helps reduce soil erosion, regulate water runoff, and mitigate flooding risks, making it a practical climate-resilient farming strategy for communities within the Allah Valley.

In line with these efforts, the Department of Agriculture (DA) presented relevant national frameworks, including Republic Act No. 7900, or the High-Value Crops Development Act of 1995. This law aims to promote the production, processing, marketing, and distribution of high-value crops to improve farmers’ income and enhance agricultural competitiveness. Under this policy framework, the DA is implementing the Sustainable Agroforestry Farming Enterprise (Project SAFE), which integrates agroforestry practices to support sustainable livelihoods.

Project SAFE highlights bamboo as both a climate-resilient resource and a viable source of income for farmers. By promoting bamboo-based agroforestry systems, the project supports environmental conservation while strengthening economic opportunities for rural communities. This initiative aligns closely with AVLDA’s Bamboo-based Farming System and reinforces the Alliance’s long-standing commitment to sustainable landscape management and climate change adaptation in the region.

03/05/2026

23/04/2026

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA as a principal member of the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC) XII, actively participated in the CY 2026 RPMC XII 1st Semester Executive-Level Monitoring held on April 21, 2026, to assess the implementation status of the SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital (SGH) in Surallah, South Cotabato.

The monitoring activity was attended by key members of the RPMC XII, an inter-agency body chaired by DEPDev XII OIC-Regional Director Romel Patrick Tanghal , with the DBM XII as Co-Chair represented by Assistant Regional Director Libertine G. Cagang-Guanzon, and MinDA’s South-Central Mindanao Area Management Office Chief Gerardo Ramon Cesar Reynaldo. Other participating agencies included the DILG XII, Presidential Management Staff (PMS), DPWH XII, the Provincial Government of South Cotabato, as well as representatives from the private sector and civil society organizations.

The SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital (SGH) headed by Medical Center Chief I, Dr. Leila F. Quidilla is a flagship health infrastructure project identified under the Mindanao Investment Program of Agenda 1, designed to strengthen and expand access to quality and specialized healthcare services in Region XII and neighboring areas in Mindanao. It is envisioned to be developed as an apex hospital, serving as the regional medical hospital in South Cotabato and the broader SOCCSKSARGEN area.

Once fully operational, SGH is expected to decongest major referral hospitals, reduce patient travel time to distant urban centers, and significantly improve health outcomes for communities in South-Central Mindanao. It will also serve as a critical healthcare hub supporting regional resilience, particularly in addressing public health emergencies and meeting the growing demand for tertiary and specialized medical services.

MinDA’s participation underscores its commitment to ensuring the timely and effective delivery of high-impact infrastructure projects, reinforcing its role in Building a Better Mindanao through inclusive health development and strengthening regional resilience across Mindanao.

21/04/2026

𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗗𝗔, 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗺

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is advancing efforts to strengthen water security in key growth areas of Mindanao through a technical investment mission with Korean engineering firm Chung Woo E&E Co., Ltd., covering General Santos City and Maasim, Sarangani from April 13–14, 2026.

The study focuses on improving and future-proofing water systems in response to rising demand, urban expansion, and climate-related supply variability.

In General Santos City, the delegation engaged with the General Santos City Water District and conducted an on-site assessment of a key water intake facility in Barangay Sinawal. Discussions highlighted key challenges, including increasing water demand, seasonal fluctuations in supply, and the need to expand treatment capacity to support long-term growth.

Chung Woo E&E Co., Ltd., a South Korean engineering firm with nearly 30 years of experience in water and environmental infrastructure, presented technical solutions including advanced filtration systems, modular treatment facilities, and scalable infrastructure designs capable of increasing system capacity by 20 to 40 percent.

The mission also included consultations with local officials, including Councilor Dominador Lagare III, focusing on potential project structuring and investment pathways to support implementation.

In Maasim, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Zyrex D. Pacquiao and assessed the Siguel River as a potential sustainable surface water source for future development.

MinDA emphasized that the engagement reflects its continuing mandate under its infrastructure coordination and investment facilitation program to align stakeholders, mobilize strategic investments, and advance climate-resilient infrastructure solutions that ensure long-term water security across Mindanao.

Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, water infrastructure has been elevated as a key national priority under the “Build Better More” agenda, with a strong focus on ensuring reliable, sustainable, and climate-resilient water systems across the country, including Mindanao.
Marcos Jr.’s administration has likewise prioritized the acceleration of public-private partnerships and foreign-assisted infrastructure projects to modernize water facilities, improve efficiency, and develop new water sources that can address growing urban and industrial demand.

In line with Marcos Jr.’s administration’s development direction, Mindanao is identified as a strategic growth area where infrastructure gaps must be addressed to support long-term economic expansion and climate adaptation, particularly in water-stressed and fast-growing cities.

28/03/2026

MinDA Backs Excellence in Mindanao Coffee at KDQC 2026

The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) joins the Department of Trade and Industry Region XII (DTI XII), along with partners and stakeholders, in celebrating the region’s finest coffee producers during the Kape Dose Coffee Quality Competition (KDQC) 2026 held at the Sultan Kudarat Convention Center in Tacurong City.

In his Message of Support, Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, delivered by Director Olie B. Dagala, emphasized the vital role of Sultan Kudarat as a key driver of the Philippine coffee industry. The province produced over 21,000 metric tons of coffee in 2023 accounting for approximately 35% of the country’s total output and supports the livelihoods of around 20,000 farming families. He highlighted that initiatives like KDQC are essential in promoting quality improvement, strengthening value chains, and positioning Mindanao coffee for both national and global markets.

In the Arabica category, Ylaine Joyce Giangan of Cotabato Province emerged as Champion (83.92), followed by Ryan James Gacayan (83.17) and Rebecca Gacayan (82.42) from Sultan Kudarat. The Robusta category was dominated by Sultan Kudarat farmers, with Jian Ambay leading (86.03), followed by Joseph Palmones (85.80) and Freddie Santiago Sr. (85.65), showcasing the province’s consistent excellence in coffee production.

Winners received in-kind agricultural inputs to further boost productivity and quality, reinforcing the commitment to empower local farmers and enterprises.

Secretary Magno also underscored that these efforts align with the Mindanao Coffee Industry Roadmap, a collaboration between MinDA and the Department of Agriculture, aimed at improving production systems, enhancing post-harvest facilities, and expanding market opportunities across Mindanao. Anchored on the vision of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for agricultural modernization and rural development, MinDA continues to advance initiatives that strengthen competitive industries and inclusive growth.

MinDA reaffirms its commitment to Building a Better Mindanao where high-quality coffee from Sultan Kudarat and across the island gains stronger recognition in both local and global markets.

28/03/2026

MinDA Supports ProPEACE PH Launch, Reinforces Commitment to Peace and Inclusive Development in Mindanao

On March 26, 2026, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) actively participated in the official launch of the Promoting Peace Engagements and Community Empowerment towards Progress and Healing (ProPEACE PH) Program, held at the Greenleaf Hotel in General Santos City. The initiative, spearheaded by the Mahintana Foundation, Inc. in partnership with various stakeholders, is supported by the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) with funding from the New Zealand Aid Programme and aims to advance peacebuilding and inclusive development efforts in the provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani.

Representing MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno, Gerardo Ramon Cesar B. Reynaldo, Chief of the Area Management Office – Southern Mindanao Cluster (AMO-SCM), conveyed the agency’s strong support for initiatives that promote community empowerment, social cohesion, and sustainable peace in Mindanao. His participation underscored MinDA’s commitment to fostering partnerships with development organizations, civil society, and local stakeholders in advancing inclusive growth and stability across the region.

The ProPEACE PH Program serves as a strategic platform to strengthen collaboration among government, private sector, and community partners in addressing the root causes of conflict while promoting resilience and development at the grassroots level. MinDA’s engagement in the launch highlights its continuing role in supporting peace and development interventions aligned with the broader Mindanao agenda.

Through its participation, MinDA reaffirms its dedication to championing initiatives that empower communities, enhance local capacities, and contribute to a peaceful and progressive Mindanao.