PH positions Mindanao as hub for AI-driven industries

Taking advantage of growing investor interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology-driven industries, the Philippines is positioning Mindanao as a strategic hub for the next wave of industrial development, leveraging the region’s strengths in manufacturing, agribusiness, renewable energy, critical minerals, logistics, digital services, and halal industries.

The investment push was highlighted during the final leg of the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) Roadshow, held as part of the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) Davao on August 24, 2026.

The government outlined a vision for Mindanao to play a bigger role in advancing food security, integrated circuit (IC) design, and mineral processing—industries that can support critical segments of the value chains underpinning advanced manufacturing and other technology-driven sectors identified under the 2026 SIPP.

The Board of Investments (BOI) said the foundations for this transformation are already being established through investments and partnerships across Mindanao.

These include BOI-registered digital connectivity projects by Converge ICT Solutions Inc., InfiniVAN, and Philippine Fiber Optic Cable Network Ltd. Inc. (PFOCN), among others, which are helping strengthen the digital infrastructure needed to support innovation and data-driven enterprises.

“The industries that will drive the next phase of growth require more than investment and infrastructure. They also require a workforce equipped with the right skills,” BOI Industry Development Services Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa said during her presentation.

“Enabling linkages between academia and industry is essential to ensuring that our educational institutions remain responsive and that Filipino talent is prepared to meet evolving industry needs,” she added.

Complementing infrastructure investments, the BOI’s Academe-Industry Matching (AIM) initiative has partnered with institutions including Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao to help align academic training with industry requirements and develop the skilled workforce needed for emerging industries.

BOI Governor Marjorie Ramos O. Samaniego said recent discussions surrounding Pax Silica have reinforced the importance of moving beyond resource extraction and accelerating downstream industrial activities.

Mindanao’s significant mineral resources—including nickel, copper, and gold—place the region in a strong position to expand into processing, manufacturing, and other higher-value activities that can generate greater economic activity locally, she said.

During one of the panel sessions, representatives from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), and Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) explored the policies, infrastructure, financing mechanisms, and investment priorities needed to position Mindanao as a platform for future industries.

Meanwhile, representatives from the BOI, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), and Bangsamoro Board of Investments (BBOI) shared their perspectives on translating national investment priorities into regional opportunities.

Representing the BOI, Governor Samaniego, Executive Director Dichosa, and Investment Policy and Planning Service Director Sandra Marie S. Recolizado discussed how the 2026 SIPP promotes economic diversification and resilience while remaining accessible to investors of all sizes, including micro, small, and medium enterprises.

They also underscored the importance of value addition, investment-ready locations, and efficient project implementation in translating approved investments into operational businesses and quality jobs.

In her closing remarks, Samaniego stressed that Mindanao’s next chapter should go beyond its role as a supplier of raw materials and commodities.

“Mindanao’s next chapter should not be defined only by what it produces or supplies. It should also be defined by how much more we can build here,” she said.

“The real opportunity is to move further along the value chain, turning resources into products and products into industries that create more economic activity here at home.”

Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration among government, the private sector, and development partners in translating investment priorities into actual projects.

“The opportunities before Mindanao are immense and require our concerted efforts. Achieving our development goals calls for a whole-of-government approach and strong collaboration with the private sector and development partners,” Go said.

“By working together, we can create the conditions for investments to flourish and ensure that the benefits of development reach more communities across the region,” he added.

As steward of the SIPP, the BOI said it will continue advancing investments that generate jobs, foster enterprise growth, and strengthen local industries.

The Mindanao leg concluded the 2026 SIPP Roadshow series, marking the culmination of the BOI’s nationwide rollout of the country’s updated investment roadmap.