Speaking during the 30th founding anniversaries of the DFA and BIMP-EAGA sub-regional cooperation, he thanked the department for providing critical yet sound policy guidance and direction relevant to MinDA’s expressions of our national interests and foreign policies, particularly in this ASEAN sub-region.
“Together with DFA, MinDA can strategically position the Philippines’ development agenda and priorities in the sub-region, ensuring that it represents the voices and aspirations of the people and communities of Mindanao and Palawan,” he added.
Secretary Magno bared that the milestone is a testament of their enduring commitment to regional collaboration, integration, and development for the past 30 years as members of this sub-economic cooperation.
“As we commemorate DFA and BIMP-EAGA’s 30th anniversaries today, let us move forward with a renewed sense of vigor and aspirations. We must focus on the sub-region’s strategic direction; including joining the global initiative for green growth and sustainable practices should be prioritized across all sectors.
We should also ensure that the benefits of the cooperation and its development efforts reach all communities, particularly those in remote and underserved communities – that is the core of the existence of BIMP-EAGA,” he added.
As the Philippine Signing Minister for the BIMP-EAGA, Magno emphasized that through coordination and facilitation works as the National Technical Secretariat, they have achieved substantive milestones for the Philippines.
“I would like to end my talk by emphasizing that the BIMP-EAGA cooperation has laid a strong foundation for regional development over the past 30 years. As we look to the future, we must continue to build on our successes, embrace new opportunities, and work together to create a prosperous and sustainable sub-region, he said, adding that the Halal industry, with its vast economic potential, will play a crucial role in this journey.
“The recently concluded Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) trade investment and halal initiated by a private partner sectors in PCCI. I participated and witnessed the willingness and the seriousness of the private sector to assist us, to assist not only in the government but whole Mindanao and of the whole country,” he said.
With the active coordination with the private sector, Secretary Magno said that it is an inspiring development in the sub-region and the BIMP-EAGA as an economic cooperation is partially now private sector-led and market-driven.
“This means more work for us in the government. We need to sustain the efforts that we are seeing in the private sector through sound and facilitative policies. I know this will only be possible with our hardworking partners from the Philippine EAGA lead agencies,” he added.
Secretary Leo Magno
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