CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Northern Mindanao is increasing the use of science, technology, and innovation to support its economic strategy, according to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) in the region.
This effort aims to modernize production systems, generate employment, and enhance competitiveness across sectors.
“We will continue promoting resilient technologies, improving access to financing, expanding infrastructure, and strengthening linkages with industry and logistics,” said DEPDev-10 Officer-in-Charge Richardson Cua during the presentation of the 2024 regional economic performance report released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
A major regional project is the planned Integrated Steel Mill, intended to support industrial development and value creation.
“The region continues to pursue science, technology, and innovation-driven industrialization, with an integrated steel mill project serving as a potential anchor for job generation and value creation,” Cua said.
DEPDev also announced the reactivation of the Industry Cluster Support Group to facilitate collaboration among local industry players and align innovation efforts with enterprise development.
“We are also enhancing the role of the private sector, which is vital for job creation, innovation, and high-quality production,” he further said.
Northern Mindanao officially entered the trillion-peso economy in 2024. It recorded a total output of P1.04 trillion in 2024, up from P985 billion in 2023. It is among seven regions with growth rates above the national average and ranks sixth in fastest-growing regional economies.
“We are confident that we can reach our growth targets by 2028. As we prepare for the midterm updating of our Regional Development Plan in the second semester of 2025, we will evaluate our strategies and targets to ensure alignment with current realities. With the RDC-10 at the helm, we will work even harder to ensure that our development strategies are implemented effectively and on time,” Cua added. (Apipa Bagumbaran)
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