CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (January 30) — At least 19 regional offices of national government agencies are expected to relocate to El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental, this year, a move local officials say supports the Regional Development Council (RDC)–10’s push to decongest Cagayan de Oro and spread growth across Northern Mindanao.
Mayor Edgar Lignes said El Salvador City is offering free office spaces to encourage the transfer of agencies and bring government services closer to communities outside the region’s main urban center.
“What Cagayan de Oro has, El Salvador City also has,” Lignes said, citing the city’s readiness to host regional offices.
Part of regional growth strategy
The planned relocations align with the Northern Mindanao Regional Development Plan, which identifies satellite cities and growth corridors to ease congestion and improve access to government services.
El Salvador City’s proximity to Laguindingan International Airport—just 12.6 kilometers away compared with 34.7 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro—has been cited as a key logistical advantage, particularly for agencies that frequently coordinate with Manila and Cebu.
Agencies identified
Among the agencies expected to relocate are the Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Maritime Industry Authority, National Meat Inspection Service, National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine Coconut Authority. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has already transferred its regional office to El Salvador City.
Cagayan de Oro reacts
Cagayan de Oro officials said the planned relocations are consistent with broader regional goals and may help ease pressure on the city’s infrastructure, while stressing the need to ensure continued access to services.
A city official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Cagayan de Oro remains the region’s commercial and services hub, with many agencies and businesses expected to maintain satellite offices or frontline services in the city.
Local business groups also said the impact would likely be manageable, noting that decentralization could reduce traffic and office congestion while opening opportunities in nearby cities.
“What matters is that services remain accessible to the public and businesses,” a business leader said. “If offices are better distributed, the whole region can benefit.”
Growing hub
El Salvador City, known for the Divine Mercy Shrine, is also emerging as an agro-industrial center hosting multinational food and manufacturing firms. Local officials said the clustering of government offices could further accelerate investment and job creation.
Regional planners said the success of the relocations will depend on transport connectivity, digital systems, and inter-LGU coordination to ensure seamless service delivery across Northern Mindanao.
