2GO Group Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer William Howell delivering his presentation during the Mindanao Business Conference in Cagayan de Oro City
2GO, the Philippines’ largest integrated end-to-end transportation and logistics provider, reaffirmed its support for Mindanao’s economic development by enhancing connectivity and helping businesses reach wider markets while enabling travelers to conveniently get to destinations nationwide.
During the 35th Mindanao Business Conference on August 12, 2GO Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer William Howell emphasized the importance of strong connectivity in building a more inclusive and future-ready economy for Mindanao. The conference took place in Cagayan de Oro City from August 11 to 13, centered on the theme, “Accelerating Inclusive Growth through Innovation and Sustainability: Bridging the Gap, Scaling the Future.”
“When we talk about the future of the Philippine economy, Mindanao is not a peripheral story,” Howell said, noting the region’s vital role in agriculture and fisheries, energy, manufacturing, mining, exports, and tourism. Howell emphasized that the region’s economic potential can be further unlocked by strengthening the connections that allow goods, people, and opportunities to move efficiently across markets.
Connecting Mindanao’s industries to wider markets, Howell outlined four strategic pillars underpinning Mindanao’s economic advantage: industry, growth engines, connectivity, and tourism. While the region continues to produce globally competitive agricultural and manufactured products and attract investments across industries, he emphasized that connectivity ties these growth drivers together by linking farmers to markets, manufacturers to customers, exporters to gateways, and communities to new economic opportunities.
“Connectivity is not merely about moving goods and passengers. It is about enabling commerce, expanding access, attracting investments, and strengthening communities,” Howell said.
As Mindanao’s industries expand, 2GO is supporting businesses through an integrated network of freight, logistics, and travel solutions. The company’s Forwarding network includes 93 distribution hubs and warehouses nationwide, with 18 located in Mindanao. In the region, 2GO Forwarding handles approximately 1.5 million packages, or 150,000 transactions, annually.
Through 2GO Sea Solutions, the company connects Mindanao to key commercial hubs across the Philippines. 2GO serves ports located in Cagayan de Oro, Ozamiz, Butuan, Dipolog, Davao, General Santos, and Zamboanga, as part of its 20-port network nationally, while transporting 2.5 million metric tons of cargo to, from, and within Mindanao in 2025.
Beyond regular sea freight, 2GO provides specialized logistics solutions designed to address the evolving requirements of Mindanao’s industries, including project logistics for large-scale developments, cold chain for agricultural and food products, e-commerce logistics, and cross-docking solutions that support faster movement of goods.
Connectivity also extends beyond the movement of cargo. Through 2GO Travel, the company supports the mobility of entrepreneurs, workers, tourists, and communities, helping connect Mindanao with key destinations across Luzon and the Visayas.
2GO Travel currently operates 36 active passenger routes nationwide, including 18 with a Mindanao connection. The network supports 37 weekly voyages connecting Mindanao to Luzon and the Visayas, strengthening access to markets, employment, tourism, and other economic opportunities.
These integrated services reinforce 2GO’s role beyond that of a transportation provider. By combining sea freight, forwarding, specialized logistics, and passenger travel, the company helps businesses move products from production sites to markets while connecting people and communities across the archipelago.
The company’s participation in the 35th Mindanao Business Conference builds on its continued engagement with government, chambers, and business stakeholders in the region. Earlier this year, 2GO, the Mindanao Development Authority, and the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. convened regional industry leaders to discuss logistics challenges and opportunities for strengthening supply chain connectivity across Mindanao.
The conference also highlighted connectivity as a key factor in shaping Mindanao’s economic future, with discussions focusing on strategic economic planning, resilience, smart industries, energy transition, digital infrastructure, trade, climate-smart business practices, tourism, and financing opportunities for MSMEs.
With its integrated sea freight, forwarding, and passenger travel services, 2GO continues to contribute to Mindanao’s growth by connecting people, businesses, markets, and opportunities across the country.
For more information about 2GO’s end-to-end transportation and logistics services, visit www.2GO.com.ph.
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