Mindanao Development Authority Western Mindanao

East-West Seed Company, Inc. Knowledge Transfer Manager Jane Cando-Llanera shared how their partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) has opened critical doors for agricultural advancement in Western Mindanao during an interview at the Kapihan sa Rehiyon Nueve.

By aligning with the broader Mindanao Development Agenda, East-West Seed has been able to leverage MinDA’s extensive network to connect with diverse regional stakeholders.

This strong collaboration ensures that agricultural programs designed to help local farmers are not just temporary fixes, but are scalable, sustainable, and deeply rooted in the community.

During the Kapihan sa Rehiyon Nueve, MinDA- AMO WM Development Management Officer III Cecille La Plana shared an update on the Improving Growth Corridors in Mindanao Road Sector Project. Backed by MinDA's technical assistance from its very inception, implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways – Unified Project Management Office (DPWH-UPMO), and funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project is slated to finally connect Olutanga Island to the Zamboanga Sibugay mainland by the 3rd quarter of this year.

Once completed, this historic structure will stand as the longest bridge in the entire Zamboanga Peninsula.

By eliminating the barrier of isolation, this bridge will completely transform local economies—slashing travel times, boosting trade and tourism, and providing safer, uninterrupted access to health, education, and government services for thousands of residents.

During the recent Kapihan sa Rehiyon Nueve, the Pagadian-ZDS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (PZCCIFI) shared that their partnership with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) first began with a shared mission as working together for the optimization of the Pagadian City Seaport.

The Chamber emphasized that they remain deeply supportive of all of MinDA's initiatives when it comes to economic development especially with the ongoing regional push to lower poverty incidents and uplift local communities across the province.

With such a critical need to spur local economic activity, PZCCIFI President Hazel Lu highlighted how this foundational collaboration is moving forward to bring in investments and connect local industries directly to the massive BIMP-EAGA international trade corridor.

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