DESPITE the growing interest on Mindanao from Australian businesses, there are still hesitations due to the negative perceptions on the security in the island.
"We still have some work to do to encourage further Australian interests and investments to come to Midnanao. Security may be of concern but I do feel safe here in Davao," Amanda Gorely, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, told reporters on Saturday evening at the Philippine-Australia Mall Festival at SM Lanang Premier, Davao City.
She said one of the factors of their views on Mindanao's security is how the media is covering stories on Mindanao.
"I think the news headlines focus on Marawi Seige and those sorts of things, which foreigners see and they think the whole of Mindanao or Philippines is under a seige. We know it is not true but we need to overcome those perceptions of people on what they read on the news," Gorely said.
She said Australian investors also have the tendency to focus on Manila when they think of coming to the Philippines.
"Once they come, they will realize that it is not only about manila there are other oppourtunities here too," Gorely said.
She said there are a number of Australian companies or individuals that have invested in Manila but are now branching out to other locations.
"Like everything you have to educate people about the opportunities here. If they can see beyond Metro Manila or Cebu, Davao is the next place for them to come," Gorely said.