MinDA seeks P1.35-T 2019 Mindanao budget

MinDA Secretary Abul Aloto

DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Development Authority MinDA) is pushing for a higher budget share for Mindanao at PHP1.35 trillion for 2019-2020 to usher in sustainable development and the realization of the Duterte administration’s vision for the island. 

MinDA Chair Secretary Datu Abul Khayr Alonto said the appeal for higher budget is for Mindanao to catch up with the Dutertenomics target of boosting the island-region’s economy by seven to eight percent, and reducing poverty to 20 percent by year 2022. 

Alonto said budget increase is focused on the prioritization of sustainable infrastructure development to support industries, the small medium enterprises, and other projects to bring down poverty. 

Among the projects included in the budget are the priority projects under the Mindanao Development Corridors (MinDC) amounting to PHP603 billion. These are the Trans-Mindanao High-speed Railway System, Land Transport Connectivity and the Mindanao gateways – ports, airports. 

MinDA is also pushing for the Tawi-Tawi Freeport and Economic Zone, the Picong Freeport, Airport, and Industrial Estate, and the establishment of Agri-Economic Cooperative Zones in the Bangsamoro areas to address food security. (Lilian Mellejor/PNA)