My wish list for Mindanao's growth in 2026

As we enter the last week of 2025, we look back at the significant developments in the economic sector of Mindanao, which has emerged as the country's second-largest economy.

- JOHN TRIA

The first is how the Northern Mindanao economy has entered the trillion-peso club, reaching a total GRDP of ₱1.04 trillion, coming in second to the Davao region's ₱1.08 trillion.How can we sustain this growth? Here are some ideas which I lovingly call my wish list for 2026. This will not be the only list, as I can continue with more "wishes“ in succeeding columns.

The first is growing the coconut sector even more. In recent columns, I shared with you what the expanded forays of the Metro Pacific and Century groups in Mindanao will mean for Mindanao, which produces almost half of the 14 million annual metric tons the country gives to the world. Growing this further will therefore provide opportunity for Mindanao's residents in terms of employment opportunities in processing and incomes from growing the crop.