Bangsamoro’s next step: From peace to prosperity

COTABATO CITY—The leader of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Tuesday invited business leaders and development partners to invest in the region, saying the gains of the peace process must now translate into jobs, better incomes, growing enterprises, and safe and secure communities.

“The Bangsamoro is ready to take its next step, from peace to prosperity. We invite you to take that step with us,” BARMM interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua said in his message at the 2026 Mindanao Development Forum held in Davao City and livestreamed on social media.

Macacua highlighted nearly P5 billion in investments that the region drew in the past year in agriculture, fisheries, housing, logistics and other sectors, calling it “a sign of growing confidence in the Bangsamoro.”

Anchoring his talk on the forum’s theme, “Mindanao’s Next Growth Chapter: Mobilizing Private Sector and Development Partnerships for Shared Prosperity,” Macacua said lasting peace must come with inclusive economic growth.

Confidence

“Peace must mean better incomes for our farmers, decent work for our young people, growing businesses for our entrepreneurs, and dignity and security for our communities,” he said.

Macacua pointed to the strengthening of the region’s governance institutions and the election of its own parliament as markers of progress. Last Sept.14, the Bangsamoro region held its first parliamentary elections since its establishment in 2019.

He noted that investor confidence depends on predictable policies, reliable infrastructure, capable institutions and close cooperation between government and the private sector.

“Confidence is earned through performance. We must show that our institutions deliver, that commitments are kept, and that investments produce results,” Macacua said.

Under the “Mas Matatag na Bangsamoro” (A Stronger Bangsamoro) agenda, the regional government is working to strengthen investment foundations, develop local industries and train workers for emerging economic opportunities, he said.

Macacua also assured that the Bangsamoro government continues to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the institutions created under the peace process, adding that responsive governance and economic opportunity help stabilize communities.

Development needs

He urged business leaders and development partners to work with the regional government on infrastructure, agricultural and fisheries value chains, market access, and opportunities for local enterprises and workers.

In a message delivered by Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos, President Marcos called for closer coordination among government agencies and greater private-sector participation in addressing Mindanao’s development needs.

Mindanao accounted for 17.2 percent of the Philippine economy in 2025, but the region continues to face challenges, including uneven economic growth, weak agricultural and fisheries output, slow manufacturing growth, and persistent unemployment and underemployment.

The President said that some 100 of the 265 priority infrastructure projects under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area initiative were slated for implementation in Mindanao.

“These efforts should mean lower transport costs, more reliable infrastructure, more local jobs, and better public services for our people,” Mr. Marcos said.

He stressed that development projects must go beyond plans and funding, translating into actual businesses, jobs and services that improve the lives of Mindanao families.

The forum brought together hundreds of representatives from the government, the diplomatic community, international development institutions and the private sector.

Among those who attended were European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro, New Zealand Ambassador Catherine McIntosh, Asian Development Bank (ADB) country director Andrew Jeffries, and ADB board member Rolly Tumpalan. INQ