Ph to host 10th BIMP-EAGA assembly

April 25, 2025

The Philippines is set to host an international meeting that promises to further boost cooperation and knowledge sharing in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region.

This after the details were finalized for the 10th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Socio-cultural and Education Cluster (SCE) Meeting to be held in Zamboanga City this coming July 2025.

The arrangements were fleshed out during the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Human Resource Development (HRD) Technical Working Group (TWG) planning workshop last April 8, 2025. In the same workshop, the TVET HRD TWG Action Plan for 2025 was also finalized.

The BIMP-EAGA was established in 1994 as a shared strategy to accelerate socioeconomic development of the less developed and geographically remote areas in the member countries, which covers Mindanao and the province of Palawan in the Philippines.

“In an interconnected world, regional cooperation and internationalization are essential and no longer optional,” said TESDA Director General, Secretary Jose Francisco “Kiko” B. Benitez

“At TESDA, we believe that forging strong partnerships across borders empowers our technical vocational education and training systems, strengthens cultural and professional exchange, and elevates the competitiveness of the Filipino workforce on the global stage,” added Secretary Kiko.

In her message during the TVET HRD TWG planning workshop, TESDA Deputy Director General Rosanna A. Urdaneta underscored the immense significance of the BIMP-EAGA platform in advancing TVET within the subregion.

According to DDG Urdaneta, “This platform allows us to collaborate, share best practices, and develop strategies that will ultimately enhance the employability of our fellow Filipinos.”

In line with its internationalization efforts, TESDA has been actively participating in the activities of Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area, pursuant to the BIMP-EAGA Vision 2025.

TESDA is a member of the Philippine – East ASEAN Growth Area (P-EAGA) Human Resource Development Working Group (HRD WG) under the BIMP-EAGA SCE Cluster. The clusters and working groups act as key units that turn BIMP-EAGA’s strategic priorities into concrete projects.

The Chairship of the Socio-Cultural and Education Cluster will be turned over to TESDA this year, while the Philippines will assume the BIMP-EAGA Chairship in 2026.