CEBU CITY — Over 200 municipal mayors from Mindanao gathered in Cebu City from August 11 to 14, 2026, for the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Mindanao Island Cluster Conference. The event centered on leveraging ASEAN integration to drive local tourism, trade, and enterprise growth.
ASEAN Opportunities Take Center Stage
During the plenary session, Tourism OIC-Regional Director Gelena Asis-Dimpas, representing Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay, presented the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2026–2030. She detailed the READS framework—Resilient, Empowered, Accessible, Digital, and Sustainable tourism—as a roadmap for local governments.
Asis-Dimpas stressed that municipalities should build on existing initiatives aligned with this framework. She offered DOT’s technical support, capacity building, and market access to help towns implement these standards. This guidance gives mayors a clear blueprint for turning regional goals into concrete local projects.
Empowering Local Destinations
The DOT official also introduced ways for small towns to reach global markets. She highlighted the department’s network of foreign tourism offices and market representatives as a direct channel for local products and destinations. Encouraging LGUs to use the “Discover More to Love” campaign, she urged them to boost their visibility.
This campaign provides a platform for lesser-known towns to attract domestic travelers seeking new experiences. By participating, municipalities can showcase unique cultural and natural assets. The strategy aligns with the conference’s goal of making every town a competitive tourism destination.
A Path to Sustainable Growth
Chief Economic Development Specialist Archt. Neil Mejares joined the panel, reinforcing the importance of national-local convergence. He explained that translating regional priorities into local initiatives requires close collaboration between agencies. This partnership ensures that plans are not just aspirational but actionable at the municipal level.
The conference theme, “Building Responsive and Future-Ready Municipalities,” reflects a shift toward long-term planning. Mayors left with a better understanding of how to integrate sustainability into tourism, trade, and infrastructure. The focus is on creating resilient economies that benefit all residents.
Convergence for Future-Ready Municipalities
LMP President Mayor Faustino “Inno” Dy V led the event, emphasizing the role of municipalities in driving inclusive growth. The gathering served as a platform for sharing best practices and forging inter-regional ties. By working together, these local leaders aim to strengthen their towns’ positions within the broader ASEAN market.
The conference proved that local governments are not isolated actors but key players in regional integration. With the right support and strategies, Mindanao’s municipalities can become engines of sustainable tourism and economic development. The event sets a strong precedent for future collaboration.
