Sara Duterte pushes for enhanced Mindanao-Borneo trade links - GMA Network

Vice President Sara Duterte proposed stronger coordination between the government and the private sector to establish better maritime trade arrangements to drive cross-border employment and economic growth between Mindanao and Borneo.

Duterte presented this as part of her four proposals as keynote speaker during the Davao-Borneo Growth Corridor 2026 Forum on Monday.

“Governments must align policies, strengthen border systems, build safer routes. But government cannot build this opportunity alone. Business leaders, investors, this is yours to drive,” the Vice President said in her speech.

“Form cross-border consortia, co-invest in infrastructure and services, and see beyond individual projects to the architecture of a regional economy,” she added.

Duterte proposed forming a dedicated Mindanao and Borneo team to draft new trade agreements and revitalize legitimate sea trade by streamlining customs, securing sea routes, and integrating informal commerce into the formal economy.

Duterte also emphasized the need to leverage the geographical proximity of Mindanao and Borneo by building strategic partnerships and enhancing physical connectivity, using efficient infrastructure to make trade faster and easier.

“Two hundred sixty-five priority infrastructure projects worth 174.6 billion dollars are already in motion. But a port only matters when a farmer can reach a market,” Duterte said.

“A shipping route matters when a trader can cross the sea safely. Infrastructure without use is just concrete,” she added.

The Vice President likewise highlighted the complementary strengths of Mindanao and Borneo, pointing out that billions of dollars in merchandise trade are already moving through the region.

“Mindanao brings agriculture, tourism and a growing market. Borneo brings capital, industry, and logistics. These are not competing pieces. They are pieces of the same puzzle.” Duterte said.

“Already, 165.96 billion dollars in merchandise trade moves through this region. Our challenge is to connect what already exists and create new value from it,” she added.

Duterte pitched Davao as a destination, highlighting its readiness to serve as a “gateway between producers and markets, between ideas and investments.”

Duterte underscored that these proposals for cross-border economic cooperation would help citizens in both nations secure meaningful jobs aligned with their passions—without forcing them to leave their families or risk their lives.

“This is what growth should mean to us. Not just more cargo, more investments, bigger numbers, but more reasons to stay and more ways for talent to find a market without leaving home,” Duterte said. –NB, GMA News