From the Sidelines
By: Ray G. Talimio Jr.
Oro Chamber’s strategic engagement with the Indonesian Consulate opens up new avenues for regional cooperation in renewable energy, halal certification, Islamic finance, tourism, and balanced trade, positioning Mindanao as a vital partner in the BIMP EAGA subregion.
In a high level roundtable hosted at the boardroom of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc. (Oro Chamber), Consul General Agus Trenggono and Economic Affairs Consul Novita Sientya Deysie Supit of the Republic of Indonesia led a dialogue that spanned renewable energy innovation, trade imbalances, halal market development, tourism, and Islamic social finance. With Mindanao actively seeking regional economic integration, the discussions were timely and highly relevant.
Representing Oro Chamber were President Almarco Brito, Past President and Past Chairman of the Board Ray Talimio Jr, Past President Avalyn Cahulogan, Vice Presidents Wilmer Co, Bert Acut and Pio Baconga, Trustee Helen Grace Uy, and Executive Director Quette Queja. The full delegation reflected the Chamber’s commitment to long term partnerships that go beyond diplomacy and into concrete collaboration.
Indonesia’s renewable energy success stories were a highlight. The 192 megawatt Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant in West Java, built with Masdar of the UAE, is the largest in Southeast Asia. It powers over 50,000 homes and offsets more than 210,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. Likewise, the 70 MW Tanah Laut Wind Farm in South Kalimantan, developed in partnership with TotalEnergies and Adaro Power, is equipped with a battery energy storage system to enhance reliability. Both projects are models for decentralized off grid energy generation, highly applicable to island provinces in Mindanao such as Camiguin, Dinagat, and Tawi Tawi.
However, alongside its renewable push, Indonesia maintains a significant trade surplus over the Philippines. In 2024, Indonesian exports to the Philippines exceeded USD 10.55 billion, while Philippine exports in return totaled under USD 60 million. The imbalance is stark, fueled by large volumes of Indonesian coal, vehicles, and food products. Mindanao contributes marginally through corn, poultry, coffee, and bananas via the Davao to General Santos to Bitung shipping corridor. The need to enhance value added production in Mindanao is urgent.
Reviving the Davao to Manado air route is a practical step to bridge this gap. The service is set for relaunch through LEASCOR by June 2024, with Indonesian airline TransNusa exploring a 2025 entry using 95 seaters. Yet past attempts struggled with low passenger loads. The Indonesian delegation proposed tapping Davao’s competitive advantages in medical tourism, higher education, and cross border conferences to build demand. The route can also stimulate access to key tourism destinations such as Bali, Yogyakarta, Lombok, Makassar, and Lake Toba. Similarly, the flight can help Indonesian travelers explore Davao, Siargao, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, and Bukidnon. The service offers more than just trade; it is a cultural and tourism corridor linking two vibrant island economies.
Halal industry development was a central theme in the dialogue. With around 90 percent of Indonesians practicing Islam, the country has developed a robust halal certification system through BPJPH and has integrated Islamic social finance into national development. The Philippines, despite passing RA 10817 to promote halal exports, still faces fragmented certification processes, high audit costs, and insufficient institutional support.
Indonesia’s consulate offered technical cooperation to address these constraints. One pathway is through partnerships with top Indonesian universities like Universitas Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Airlangga, and UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. These institutions provide advanced training in Islamic finance, halal auditing, and Islamic accounting. Oro Chamber and its professional partners including PICPA are now exploring academic exchanges and joint training programs to build local capacity.
This direction is aligned with pending legislation in the Philippine Congress. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is set to file a bill that seeks to establish a National Framework for Islamic Social Finance through Shari’a compliant zakat and waqf. The proposed law aims to create a National Islamic Social Finance Commission to mobilize faith based resources for public goods, social housing, MSMEs, and poverty alleviation. The initiative is spearheaded with technical support from Amanoding Esmail, Founding President of the Philippine Association of Islamic Accountants (PAIA).
Indonesia offers a tested model. Through BAZNAS and other state backed platforms, it has used zakat and waqf to fund hospitals, madrasahs, cooperatives, and disaster response. The system blends religious obligation with financial discipline. If replicated properly, this can provide Mindanao with an alternative financing ecosystem that is both culturally rooted and economically effective.
The visit of the Indonesian Consulate’s economic affairs team marks a deepening of ties that go beyond ceremonial diplomacy. What was discussed are practical, fundable, and scalable opportunities for collaboration in clean energy, halal industry development, trade rebalancing, tourism, and Shari’a based development finance. It is up to business chambers, LGUs, civil society, and regional economic councils to seize the moment and move from dialogue to implementation.
Mindanao must not only look to Manila but also to neighbors like Indonesia to shape its future. In doing so, it can build a stronger and more inclusive regional economy within the spirit of ASEAN and the framework of BIMP EAGA.
Photo Credits:
Oro Chamber Documentation Unit
Indonesian Consulate General in Davao City
Ray G. Talimio Jr.
Sources:
Masdar Clean Energy
PLN Nusantara Power
Mindanews
Philippine Statistics Authority
PortCalls
OEC World
Universitas Indonesia
UGM
UIN Jakarta
PAIA Philippines
Amanoding Esmail
Reuters
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for public information and policy dialogue. The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not represent any official stance of the institutions he is affiliated with.
About the Author:
Ray G. Talimio Jr. is Past President and Past Chairman of the Board of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc (Oro Chamber), Co Chairman of the Economic Development Committee of the Regional Development Council Region X, Chairman of the MSME Development Council of Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City, Chairman of BIMP EAGA for Northern Mindanao, and Past Chapter President, Past Senior Regional Director, and National Officer of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). A regular columnist, economic development advocate, and adviser on public private engagement for infrastructure and governance reforms.
