The inaugural Mindanao GovTech Summit officially opened on Wednesday at Pinnacle Hotel in Davao City, uniting local government leaders, technology innovators, and national agencies to forge a unified roadmap for digital transformation across Mindanao.
Spearheaded by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), the Summit embodies its mandate to harmonize development efforts throughout the island-region. Positioned as a dynamic convergence platform, the event aligned policies and fostered collaboration in crafting digital solutions tailored to local challenges. This initiative was supported by key partners including IDEAS Davao, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), among others.
In his keynote address, MinDA Chair Secretary Leo Tereso A. Magno hailed the Summit as a historic milestone where innovation meets governance.
“Today, we bring together problem-solvers and solution-creators — our local government units, who intimately understand ground realities, alongside startups bringing fresh, tech-driven ideas. This is a call to craft growth strategies that are inclusive, data-informed, and future-ready,” Secretary Magno emphasized.
Under the theme “Collaborative Digital Transformation for a Smarter, More Resilient Mindanao,”the Summit marked a significant step forward in strengthening digital governance and fostering innovation for inclusive growth.
The Mindanao GovTech Summit serves as a vital bridge linking LGUs with startups and private sector innovators to co-create scalable solutions in critical sectors such as revenue collection, permit processing, disaster risk management, and agricultural modernization. The event also officially launched Davao Startup Week 2025, highlighting the essential role of collaboration in building an innovation-driven governance ecosystem.
MinDA Assistant Secretary Romeo Montenegro, in his remarks, underscored the Summit’s dual role as a showcase for emerging technologies and a catalyst for bold, collaborative ideas.
“We stand at the intersection of possibility and responsibility. The tools we adopt today — smart city technologies, AI-driven platforms, secure digital identities — will shape the trust, transparency, and resilience of our institutions tomorrow,” Asec. Montenegro declared.
Davao Startup Week 2025 Lead Convener Val Anthony B. Cimafranca added that the GovTech Summit perfectly encapsulates the event’s theme: “Grassroots, Global Reach.”
“Innovation here doesn’t start in boardrooms; it begins in our barangays, farms, and classrooms, where challenges are transformed into opportunities. GovTech Mindanao proves that grassroots-driven solutions can redefine governance and propel Mindanao toward global competitiveness,” Cimafranca stated.
Throughout the Summit, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives on expanding digital infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity, and nurturing a future-ready workforce were prominently highlighted. The recent signing of the E-Governance Act institutionalizes digital transformation, ensuring accessible, efficient, and transparent government services nationwide.
President Marcos’ vision emphasizes countryside connectivity through landmark projects such as the Konektadong Pinoy Law, the Philippine Domestic Submarine Cable Network, and satellite internet services — all designed to bridge the digital divide. These efforts are bolstered by investments in the Bifrost and Apricot subsea cables and the establishment of the Tupi IT Park, envisioned as catalysts for inclusive digital growth.
With MinDA’s coordination, the Marcos administration is steering Mindanao’s digital transformation roadmap in alignment with the Philippine Development Plan and the National Innovation Agenda. Meanwhile, international platforms like BIMP-EAGA are opening new global opportunities for Mindanao’s startups and local governments.
The 1st Mindanao GovTech Summit concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration, uniting stakeholders around concrete projects and policy initiatives to achieve the shared vision of Building a Better Mindanao.
