The travel advisory issued by the Canadian government against traveling to several areas in Mindanao did not sit well with the Mindanao Development Authority (Minda) and European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP).

Recently, the Canadian government warned its citizens against traveling to several areas in Mindanao such as Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) including “non-essential” visit in Caraga and Davao regions.

Among the basis of the travel advisory was the bombing incident inside the Mindanao State University (MSU) in Marawi City last December 3, 2023.

However, the Minda said the MSU-Marawi City bombing was an isolated case.

Minda added that Mindanao has a growth rate of 7.2 percent while the average crime rate is low with 14 percent, based on its study.

It also said that in the recent survey conducted, it showed that the trust rating of the Mindanawons is 88 percent while the safety rating is 86 percent.

“The Science is telling us Mindanao is safe, Mindanao is secure. The National Security Council under the leadership of Secretary Año is already saying that the travel advisory is totally different with what is happening in Mindanao,” Minda Public Relations Chief, Dr. Adrian Tamayo, said.

The ECCP-Southern Mindanao Business Council also questioned the basis of the travel advisory.

It said that the travel advisory could affect the economy of Mindanao, especially in the investment sector.

“When you look at this kind of things something is not right about this travel advisory. Are the data they use current? Baka naman three years or four years ago yan or much later pa kasi what we are seeing right now is a much different Mindanao,” ECCP-Southern Mindanao Business Council Chairman Antonio Peralta said.