Japan: Main driver of Mindanao’s growth
Opening statement of Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. on the inauguration of the Consulate General of Japan in Davao on February 10, 2019, at Waterfront Insular Hotel, Davao City.
YOUR Excellency Taro Kono, Foreign Minister of Japan; Ambassador Koji Haneda, Consul General Yoshiaki Miwa; Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte; colleagues in government; ladies and gentlemen; good evening.
LET me open by extending heartfelt congratulations to the government of Japan on its inauguration of the new Consulate-General of Japan in Davao: Ome—de—tou go—zai— ma—su! (Congratulations). I hope I got that right: no accent on any syllable.
It is my honor to join all of you this evening on this great occasion.
The opening of this Consulate General, in the presence of no less than my friend Minister Kono, speaks of the importance Japan attaches not only to the city of Davao
as a growing center of economic activity but to the entirety of this land of promise that is Mindanao.
Japan’s record of unfailing support for Mindanao—spanning the peace process, development assistance, investments and cultural engagement—has been unrivalled. Japan has helped advance the peace process: from helping ensure that cease-fires hold, to shepherding the realization of Bangsamoro.
By its development assistance, infrastructure projects, technical cooperation and capacity building, it has helped to raise Mindanao’s level of development and uplift the lives of its people from the grassroots up.
This commitment was emphatically renewed this morning when Minister Kono and I presided over the Exchange of Notes on Japan’s provision of a loan of $202 million for the construction of roads and bridges in a seamless connectivity across conflict areas of Mindanao.
Following the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law— which has replaced the narrative of secessionist conflict with that of democratic process—Japan’s steady support has been a source of great encouragement. Japan is wellpositioned to be the main driver of growth in Mindanao, reprising its role in the amazing industrial growth of the Calabarzon area, which has made that region the second-largest contributor to Philippine GDP.
Japan’s public- and private-sector involvement in the growth of Davao helped the region post a GDP growth higher than Metro Manila. Imagine the potential that Japanese investments and economic participation herald for Mindanao.
As we gather tonight to celebrate Minister Kono’s presence and this Consulate General’s inauguration, we open a new chapter in our Strategic Partnership; one in which Mindanao promises to play a central role as we had long hoped. In so doing, we reaffirm our shared aspirations for peace, stability and prosperity for our peoples, our region and beyond. Thank you. Mabuhay!