Through Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Affairs Jesus Dureza, the Chief Executive expressed her elation on the PSC’s revival of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East Asian Growth Area) Friendship Games as it boosts not only the country’s sports program but likewise opens the door for the opportunity to showcase Mindanao as a peaceful place for business development.
"The President gives a two thumbs-up for the revival of the BIMP-EAGA as the Games will surely boost the government’s economic program in Mindanao," said Dureza, also the chairman of Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco).
"The Chief Executive is ready to give all the necessary support and resources for the success of the four-country, three-day sports and business spectacle," Dureza added.
Dureza promised to personally carry the invitation to the President to be the special guest in the opening ceremony on the Games set Aug. 23-25 in Puerto Princesa Sports Complex in Palawan.
After a five-year absence, the meet was revived by the PSC under its project director Leon Montemayor, adopting the theme ‘Developing a culture of peace friendship and unity through sports."
Besides sports camaraderie, the government is also hoping that sectoral issues and business opportunities are to be discussed with the arrival of foreign dignitaries during the three-day meet.
During the four-country meeting attended by the member countries in Puerto Princesa last month, sports and business representatives as well as working groups had already discussed issues covering tourism, construction, energy, forestry, air linkages, sea linkages, capital formation, agro-industry and telecommunication vital to the government’s economic growth program for Mindanao.
Among the areas seeing action are Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia (Gorontalo, Irian Jay, Central Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Maluku, North Maluku, Central Sulawesi, North Sulawesi at South-East Sulawesi), Malaysia (Labuan, Sabah, and Sarawak).
Australia’s northern territory is also expressed its intention to join the Games.
Mindanao and Palawan will represent the country, to be bannered by athletes who won medals in the last Mindanao Games.