Central Mindanao, Philippines

About Central Mindanao

Strategic Location Central Mindanao shares with Western and Southern Mindanao a strategic location in the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA). Cotabato City, Central Mindanao’s commercial hub and seat of government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is at the delta of the Rio Grande de Mindanao, a commercial artery to the Mindanao heartland.

Economy The Cotabato-ARMM cluster is agriculture-based with comparative advantages in crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries.

Resources The vast fertile plains of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and North Cotabato produce most of Central Mindanao’s staple crops. The area’s uplands yield a variety of tropical fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers. Major products include corn, rice, coconut, cassava, rubber, and palm oil. Maguindanao’s and Lanao del Sur’s combined coastlines, more than a hundred kilometers long, brim with coral fish and crustaceans. The Moro Gulf and Illana Bay are among the country’s largest fishing grounds. Lake Lanao, the country’s second largest, and two smaller lakes in Lanao del Sur are sources of exotic freshwater fish. Water from Lake Lanao turns generators that provide electricity to the whole of Mindanao.

Tourism Picturesque lakes, rivers, waterfalls, caves, mountains, and historical and cultural sites offer diverse attractions to domestic and foreign tourists. Mt. Apo, the country’s tallest peak, which straddles Cotabato and Davao, is visited year-round by seasoned and amateur climbers. Beautiful Lake Lanao, however, tops the list of tour destinations. Central Mindanao presents a good case of multiculturalism where Muslim, Christian, and tribal communities live in harmony. The area’s rich cultural heritage is expressed in its colorful music, literature, architecture, and ethnic crafts.

Exports Export winners include crude coco oil, cochin type coco oil, copra pellet, cold rolled coils, abaca pulp, garments, aquamarine products, gifts and house ware, and wood products. Major product destinations are the United States, Europe, Japan, Malaysia and Brunei. Central Mindanao exported US$129.8 million worth of products in 1994.

Agribusiness Small and medium enterprises continue to thrive as a result of increasing economic activities and opportunities in EAGA. Large establishments employing more than 500 people are found in Cotabato and Maguindanao: four plants in North Cotabato manufacture rubber products; one in Maguindanao processes cassava into flour and starch. More than 5,000 firms are engaged in wholesale and retail trade. Expanded agribusiness activities are foreseen in cassava starch processing, coconut oil milling, and rubber processing. The area already produces most of Mindanao’s rubber.

Strategic Location	Central Mindanao shares with Western and Southern Mindanao a strategic location in the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA). Cotabato City, Central Mindanao’s commercial hub and seat of government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is at the delta of the Rio Grande de Mindanao, a commercial artery to the Mindanao heartland.
Economy	The Cotabato-ARMM cluster is agriculture-based with comparative advantages in crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries.
Resources	The vast fertile plains of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and North Cotabato produce most of Central Mindanao’s staple crops. The area’s uplands yield a variety of tropical fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers. Major products include corn, rice, coconut, cassava, rubber, and palm oil. Maguindanao’s and Lanao del Sur’s combined coastlines, more than a hundred kilometers long, brim with coral fish and crustaceans. The Moro Gulf and Illana Bay are among the country’s largest fishing grounds. Lake Lanao, the country’s second largest, and two smaller lakes in Lanao del Sur are sources of exotic freshwater fish. Water from Lake Lanao turns generators that provide electricity to the whole of Mindanao.
Tourism	Picturesque lakes, rivers, waterfalls, caves, mountains, and historical and cultural sites offer diverse attractions to domestic and foreign tourists. Mt. Apo, the country’s tallest peak, which straddles Cotabato and Davao, is visited year-round by seasoned and amateur climbers. Beautiful Lake Lanao, however, tops the list of tour destinations. Central Mindanao presents a good case of multiculturalism where Muslim, Christian, and tribal communities live in harmony. The area’s rich cultural heritage is expressed in its colorful music, literature, architecture, and ethnic crafts.
Exports	Export winners include crude coco oil, cochin type coco oil, copra pellet, cold rolled coils, abaca pulp, garments, aquamarine products, gifts and house ware, and wood products. Major product destinations are the United States, Europe, Japan, Malaysia and Brunei. Central Mindanao exported US$129.8 million worth of products in 1994.
Agribusiness	Small and medium enterprises continue to thrive as a result of increasing economic activities and opportunities in EAGA. Large establishments employing more than 500 people are found in Cotabato and Maguindanao: four plants in North Cotabato manufacture rubber products; one in Maguindanao processes cassava into flour and starch. More than 5,000 firms are engaged in wholesale and retail trade. Expanded agribusiness activities are foreseen in cassava starch processing, coconut oil milling, and rubber processing. The area already produces most of Mindanao’s rubber.