THE PLAN FRAMEWORK

Northern Mindanao is envisioned to be the leading industrial and trade center in Mindanao with vibrant, skilled and productive men and women enjoying equal opportunities in harnessing the potentials and resources in building a decent, harmonious, peaceful and healthful living environment.

The region shall take advantage of its strategic location and the presence of the huge industrial capital within its major development corridor especially in the industrial city of Iligan and in the PHIVIDEC Industrial Estate in Misamis Oriental (PIE-MO) which is the country's largest Industrial Estate.

It shall build on the strength of its highly skilled and literate human resources and shall continue to upgrade and enhance their capabilities to meet the demands of an industrialized economy.

While development will focus in turning the region into an industrial center, equal priority shall also be provided in developing the sub-regional development centers making full, yet sustainable use of local resources. With its very large agricultural potential, development and modernization of the agriculture sector shall continue to be a major concern. The sector shall undergo transformation, to be at pace with the increasing demand for farm produce and by-products and shall be a major contributor to the region's industrial growth .

The tourism potentials of the region shall also be promoted especially in areas which have limited potentials for industrial development and other economic activities. Areas of high potentials for eco-tourism shall be positioned to be part of the priority tourist destinations of the country.

The region recognizes the private sector as the engine of growth of the economy. To encourage the inflow of investments, the government shall create a conducive business atmosphere providing the basic support facilities and incentives. As a matter of policy, the government shall not directly compete with or limit the development of the private sector. However, in the interest of safeguarding the general welfare of its populace, the government may engage in activities which shall complement or induce private sector initiatives.

Sustainable broad-based economic growth and the pursuit of gender equity are the main guiding principles in the formulation of development activities. The region shall provide equal opportunities for its men and women in the social, cultural, economic, and political spheres ensuring a decent level of well-being for individuals and families. Development shall be guided to consistently adhere to sustainable approaches to protect and conserve its resources and ensure that the benefits reaped today will continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

While growth in the tourism industry will be promoted, development shall be guided to protect the region's indigenous beliefs, tradition, religious, cultural heritage and overall environmental integrity.

The ultimate goal is to improve the living conditions of the people especially those who are in the disadvantaged sectors. In the immediate period, the region shall institute initiatives in order to sustain, if not surpass, its gains in improving the poverty situation. As combating poverty needs the participation of all sectors of society, the government, on one hand, shall provide opportunities in the access to the four basic requirements of fighting poverty (jobs, housing, education and food), while the populace shall complement these efforts by improving participation in governance and instilling a sense of self-reliance, dignity and pride.

In the medium-term, the region will be positioned as a major transshipment hub, taking full advantage of its strategic location as the gateway to the island of Mindanao, and shall emerge as a major trading center. The region shall strive to gain more investors in preferred investment areas, whether for large or medium scale projects. Its workforce will be primed to prepare them for economic opportunities, as the ASEAN region makes a rebound from its recent crisis.

In the pursuit of this goal, the region will mobilize all people from both the public and the private sector to work together to achieve the following immediate objectives:

1. To put in place infrastructure facilities, utilities, and supporting socio-economic development programs/projects in strategic urban and rural areas, foremost of all, to uplift the lives of its populace and as well as lower the cost of doing business in the region;

2. To improve the quality of goods and services, as well as enhance the productivity in the agri-aquaculture, the industry, and the service (including public) sectors to make the region's products more competitive in the market;

3. To enhance the competence of the region's men and women, whether in technical, financial, managerial, or entrepreneurial skills to cope with the demands of living in a fast changing society;

4. To further strengthen the capacities of regional and local officials, particularly in their dealings within their organizational structures, networking with non-government organizations and the private sector, and most especially, in responding to the basic and immediate needs of their constituents;

5. To ensure the protection, maintenance, and development of its natural resources and man-made assets where its citizens will be accorded priority in their utilization and enjoyment of benefits;

6. To encourage both men and women especially those in rural and far-flung areas, to be organized and be involved in resolving local problems, as well as, in decision-making activities that will determine the development direction of their areas.

7. To instill measures that will prevent corruption, increase advocacy and practice of good governance, improve moral standards, and strengthen commitment to work for the best interest of the people and country.

 

 

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