My wish list for Mindanao’s growth in 2026

Since 2026 is upon us, last week’s three items in my wish list included boosting the coconut industry, promoting innovation at the regional level through the RRDICs, and improving financing for MSMEs. As an update, we have seen news about how the plans for the United Coconut Chemicals (COCOCHEM) are being reviewed.

- #MINDANAO JOHN TRIA

The company produced coconut fatty acids essential to the soap and cosmetics industry. These developments are worth watching.

In this week's column, I would like to share my second list of wishes: a stronger creative and tourism sector.

I wish the tourism sector of Mindanao would flourish further. Better roads between regions in the last decade have brought local tourists to new local destinations like beaches and mountain landscapes, waterfalls, and enchanted rivers. Many areas can now host conventions, since there are direct flights from the Manila and Cebu hubs to destinations like Pagadian, Dipolog, Butuan, Cotabato, and Ozamis. In such cities, you can now find hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops catering to locals and guests, boosting the local service economy.

The tourism sector brings vital economic input for many smaller cities and provinces as it is a direct injection of outside cash into the local economy, providing many jobs and opportunities for MSMEs that run hotels and restaurants.