Mindanao: Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno reaffirmed the agency's partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to advance inclusive and resilient development in Mindanao.
According to Philippines News Agency, Magno expressed appreciation for UNDP's technical expertise and convening capacity, noting that the partnership has already produced impactful initiatives such as the EU-funded Partnerships for Peace and Development. MinDA serves as the government lead alongside the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU).
Magno emphasized the hope that this renewed collaboration will lead to a practical roadmap, stronger resource mobilization, and programs that create concrete opportunities for development. The renewed partnership is closely aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration, which consistently emphasizes inclusive growth, peacebuilding, and climate resilience as pillars of national development.
The initiatives discussed resonate with the Marcos administration's call for stronger regional linkages and institutional capacity to ensure that Mindanao's progress contributes to the broader Bagong Pilipinas agenda. Magno highlighted that by reinforcing collaboration with UNDP, MinDA is advancing President Marcos Jr.'s vision of a more resilient, equitable, and prosperous Philippines.
During a meeting with UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Christophe Bahuet on August 12, they discussed the Indigenous Women and Girls - Leadership and Empowerment in Ancestral Domains (I-LEAD) project. This four-year initiative is jointly pursued by MinDA, New Zealand Embassy, and UNDP and aims to strengthen leadership skills, entrepreneurship, and governance capacities among indigenous women and girls in ancestral domains across Mindanao.
Magno noted that by empowering indigenous communities, the I-LEAD project contributes to inclusive growth, social cohesion, and sustainable development. MinDA and UNDP committed to strengthening cooperation through integrated development and peacebuilding platforms, area-based programs in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities, investment and financing mechanisms for priority projects, initiatives for youth and women empowerment, and climate-resilient agriculture and value chain development.
Magno added that this renewed partnership signals a shared commitment to building a better Mindanao that is inclusive, resilient, and prepared to meet the challenges of peace and development in the years ahead.
