Davao City, Philippines – The Marcos, Jr. administration’s economic managers, led by Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, brought the government’s economic and investment agenda to Davao through the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB), underscoring Mindanao’s central role in the Philippines’ growth story.
The briefing highlighted the country’s economic outlook, key reforms, and investment priorities, while showcasing opportunities across Mindanao’s strategic sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, energy, manufacturing, tourism, logistics, and digital services.
“Davao is an important part of the Philippine growth story. It is the economic center of Mindanao. The region has been connecting businesses, employees, capital, and markets,” Secretary Frederick Go said in his keynote address.
Davao City is one of the fastest-growing highly urbanized cities in the country, underscoring its importance as a regional economic hub and gateway to Mindanao.
Secretary Frederick Go emphasized the government’s role in creating the conditions for sustained growth to translate into more jobs, investments, and opportunities for Filipinos.
He highlighted reforms aimed at reducing friction costs and making it easier for businesses to operate and expand, including lower registration fees at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), longer importer accreditation validity at the Bureau of Customs (BOC), and the Bureau of Internal Revenues’ (BIR) reduced Creditable Withholding Tax rates for local importers and manufacturers.
Secretary Frederick Go called on business leaders and industry partners to invest, build, and grow in Mindanao, helping develop globally competitive industries and creating more opportunities for Filipinos.
The PEB in Davao reinforces the administration’s commitment to ensuring that Mindanao’s growth opportunities are fully integrated into the national economic agenda, and that the region’s economic gains translate into broader and more inclusive development.
“The next chapter of Philippine growth will be shaped in Mindanao. So let us make future industries happen here and across the country,” Secretary Frederick Go said.
