The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) is seeking stronger coordination and dialogue with Australian officials following renewed concerns over travel advisories covering parts of Mindanao.
MinDA chair Secretary Leo Tereso Magno said Australian authorities clarified that the advisory recently circulated online was not new, but a reissuance of an existing travel advisory.
Magno said officials from the Australian Embassy had already communicated with MinDA regarding the matter, adding that Australian Deputy Ambassador Nicholas Moore confirmed that the advisory had long been in place.
Earlier this month, the Australian Embassy reiterated its advisory for the Philippines, cautioning that terrorist attacks may occur and urging Australians to reconsider travel to eastern Mindanao, except for Camiguin, Dinagat, and Siargao Islands.
Despite the clarification, Magno said the continued issuance of such advisories still affects the image of Mindanao and may discourage tourism, investments, and economic opportunities in the region.
“Still, it has a negative impact on Mindanao. That is why we engaged them and talked to them,” Magno said.
According to Magno, Australian authorities explained that their travel advisories are based on various security assessments, including information from Philippine law enforcement and military agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as well as their own independent evaluations.
To strengthen transparency and coordination, MinDA is proposing an executive session involving ambassadors and security officials to discuss the basis of the advisories and provide updates on the current peace and security situation in Mindanao.
“I requested that there could be an executive session with ambassadors on the security assessment. We will try to do that as early as two weeks from now,” he said.
Magno also expressed optimism that MinDA and Australian officials could issue a joint statement acknowledging Mindanao’s progress in development, peace, and security efforts.
“While they acknowledge that this is an old advisory, sabi ko nga, let’s have a joint statement,” he said.
He added that Australian officials have also expressed willingness to support MinDA initiatives aimed at attracting more investments and development partners to Mindanao.
Magno said MinDA remains committed to maintaining open communication with international partners to ensure that Mindanao’s gains in tourism, economic growth, peace, and security are properly recognized internationally.
