Congressman Rufus Rodriguez Gains Support from AmCham Mindanao for Key Mindanao Development Projects
Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City earned strong support from the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. – Mindanao Chapter (AmCham Mindanao) during its Networking Night held at Xavier Sports & Country Club.
As the event’s guest speaker, Cong. Rodriguez laid out a comprehensive agenda that aims to accelerate development in Mindanao and urged AmCham’s cooperation in addressing pressing issues that affect the island’s economic prospects.
Reassessing U.S. Travel Advisory for Mindanao
At the forefront of his message was a call to action against the recent U.S. travel advisory issued on May 8, 2025, which categorizes most of Mindanao under Level 3—urging Americans to reconsider travel to the region. Cong. Rodriguez described the advisory as “biased” and “damaging” to Mindanao’s global image and local tourism economy.
He appealed to AmCham Mindanao and its influential members to engage with U.S. counterparts and advocate for a “more balanced, fair, and nuanced” advisory that reflects the realities on the ground, particularly in cities like Cagayan de Oro which have consistently remained peaceful and progressive.
Infrastructure Projects for Inclusive Growth
Rodriguez also presented several major infrastructure projects to the chamber, seeking endorsement and collaboration from the business community:
- Mindanao Railway Project (Phase III) – Spanning 54.8 kilometers from Villanueva to Laguindingan Airport via Cagayan de Oro, with a completed pre-feasibility study worth ₱100 million led by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP.
- Cagayan de Oro Elevated Skyway – Phase I will connect Barangay Bugo to Barangay Iponan through the BCIR; Phase II will link Paseo del Rio Rotunda to Macabalan Pier. ₱70 million has been secured for the feasibility study.
- Elevated Walkway Project – Planned along the BCIR from Jct. CM Recto Avenue to Corrales Avenue and Limketkai Drive, aiming to ease pedestrian congestion.
- Alternate Road Projects – These include the Coastal Bypass Road (Puerto-Gusa), Eastern Interior Bypass Road (Bigaan Bridge and Agusan Viaduct), Balubal-Indahag CdeO-Laguindingan Airport Highway, and the Gusa Flyover.
- Iconic Bridges Across the Cagayan de Oro River – Among them are the rehabilitation of the Carmen Steel Bridge (Ysalina Bridge), the Macabalan-Bonbon Bridge, and other inter-barangay bridges including Macasandig-Macanhan-Manresa and Consolacion-Kauswagan.
- Bagong Pilipinas Highway – A national-level project proposing two mega-bridges connecting Mindanao to the Visayas and Luzon. Once completed, products from Mindanao can reach Metro Manila faster and at lower costs, enhancing trade and mobility.
“True and inclusive development cannot happen in isolation,” said Cong. Rodriguez. “We need to build bridges—figuratively and literally—to give equal access to services and opportunities for growth between regions and its people.”
A United Front for Regional Growth
Rodriguez thanked AmCham Mindanao for the opportunity to engage with the private sector, emphasizing that partnerships between government and business leaders are vital for regional advancement.
Among the attendees were AmCham Vice President Elpidio Paras, Limketkai Hotel GM Jerome Dela Fuente, PHIVIDEC Administrator Joseph Donato Bernedo, AmCham EVP Edgar Bullecer of The Paglas Group, as well as foreign diplomats, Filipino executives, and leading members of Mindanao’s business community.
The event concluded with a shared optimism for a more connected, resilient, and investment-ready Mindanao—one that thrives with the support of both local and international stakeholders.
