To boost the mobility of goods and people and propel the socio-economic development of Mindanao, a proposed integrated logistics highway was proposed and approved in the first ever Mindanao Logistics Conference held in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental last Nov. 25 and 26.
Mr. Vic Lagdamen, president of the Mindanao Federation of Shippers’ Association (MINFESA), said that the while the proposed integrated logistics and transportation plan concentrates on connecting the northern and southern regions of Mindanao, the “corridor” should also include Zamboanga and Caraga. Usec. Virgilio Leyretana, chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) also concurred with this plan, saying that it is “high time for Mindanao to have something like a logistics corridor given that infrastructure development in Mindanao is being fast tracked.”
In the two-day conference, spearheaded by MINFESA, participants were made to recognize the importance of a Mindanao-wide mechanism to be able to harmonize the logistics and infrastructure activities. The resolution requesting the Senate to fast-track the passage of the Mindanao Economic Development Authority (MEDA) Bill was consequently and unanimously approved in the same conference. Usec. Leyretena commented that by enhancing the country’s transport system, a unified and integrated economy shall not be far behind.
One of the speakers for the conference was the port director of the Muara Port in Brunei Darussalam, emphasizing the port and infrastructure development in this part of the country. Cold-chain and banana industries, including a suggested “banana logistics corridor” were also discussed in the two-day gathering, bananas being one of the best products of the region.
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