Mindanao is seeing significant gains in safety and stability, prompting calls for foreign embassies to update travel advisories, according to Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
In a media briefing on Friday, Montenegro said the old narrative of bombings, armed clashes, and kidnappings no longer reflects the current situation on the ground.
He noted that such images of conflict have been “overshadowed today by the narrative of peace, particularly with the establishment of the Bangsamoro government and the integration of former combatants into governance roles.”
“And because of that, it created a large impact overall in Mindanao in terms of whether or not we’re enjoying a much relative peace than what we had been having many years ago,” Montenegro said.
This shift, the MinDA assistant secretary added, strengthened the development of the region and contributed to a more stable environment.
A study presented by MinDA shows notable improvement in safety ratings in Mindanao between 2023 and 2024. Its 2024 rating shows a score of 89.69 percent, slightly higher than 88 percent in 2023, with a number of provinces posting strong improvements.
Among the provinces with the highest safety ratings are Iligan (98 percent), Camiguin (97 percent), Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga Sibugay (95 percent).
Montenegro said the improved data is crucial in their push for foreign embassies to update travel advisories that continue to tag several areas in Mindanao as high-risk.
He noted that some embassies have begun easing travel guidance over the past two to three years, a development MinDA welcomes as updated advisories would help attract foreign direct investments, which could generate more jobs and broaden economic impact for communities in Mindanao.