THE REGIONAL Development Council XI (RDC-XI) aims to develop local air and seaports to turn Southern Mindanao into an international logistics hub.
During the Davao Regional Development Plan 2023-2028 press conference last May 23, RDC-XI co-chair Arturo Milan noted the lack of efficiency in the shipping industry, which is why development is needed.
This plan involves the upgrading of the Davao City International Airport and Sasa Port, as well as the development of Panabo Port.
Aside from improving the efficiency of the shipping industry, it will also create opportunities for international markets.
“We have an advantage in terms of access to international markets. That’s why we should be looking at international logistics hubs in Southern Mindanao,” he said, “this is the comparative advantage that we have to develop, to make Davao Region as an international logistics hub in Mindanao.”
Milan also said they are campaigning to have many direct foreign airlines fly to Davao.
Last May 9, 2nd District Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre, committee on tourism and beautification chairperson, said they are negotiating with local airlines to service the Japan-Davao-Japan route as an additional flight option.
Meanwhile, National Economic and Development Authority Region XI director Maria Lourdes Lim said that the management of Sasa Port was privatized when the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) awarded the management contract to GlobalPort Ozamis Terminal, Inc. through its Resolution No. BAC-PTMC-02-2022 on May 23, 2022, and its Notice to Proceed on June 28, 2022.
This is under PPA’s Port Terminal Management Regulatory Framework (PTMRF), through PPA Administrative Order 03-2016, to privatize the management of public ports.
“Our connectivity infrastructure would set a foundation [for] this vision by upgrading our international airport as well as sea ports in the region along Davao Gulf would form [a] part of the logistic hub vision,” Lim said.
