DAVAO CITY, Oct. 27 -- Mindanao has emerged as a peaceful, stable and investment-ready island, with government leaders highlighting strong economic growth, improving governance and expanding investment opportunities as key drivers of the region's next phase of development.

Speaking at the Mindanao Development Forum (MDF) 2026 on Tuesday here, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno said the long-standing debate on whether peace should precede development has been settled, noting that peace now prevails across Mindanao and is creating the conditions for sustained economic progress.

"Peace is no longer just an aspiration. It is a reality. Mindanao has become a haven for investments, a place where opportunities c...