by Franklin P. Gumapon
OROQUIETA CITY,
July 19 (PIA) - - As Mindanao serves as the major supplier of food and raw
materials to Manila and Cebu, the Mindanao Development Authority (MINDA) now
focuses on transforming the island into a modern agricultural center.
This was the gist
of the message delivered by Gerardo Ramon Cesar B. Reynaldo on behalf of MINDA
Chairperson Luwalhati R. Antonino in yesterday’s plenary of the 8th
Zamboanga Peninsula Business Conference (ZAMPENBIZCON) at the Town Center,
Barangay Canubay this city.
“Agriculture has
remained a dominant sector propelling the Mindanao economy,” said Reynaldo
adding that Mindanao enjoys “superior agro-climatic conditions.”
Reynaldo also
disclosed that MINDA has lobbied to secure no less than 30 percent of the
Department of Agriculture’s (DA) allocation for Mindanao to ensure and realize
agricultural development in the island.
Other agencies that
committed to increase their budget allocation for Mindanao are the National
Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of
Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation and
Communication (DOTC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
and Department of Health (DOH).
In a related
development, the Zamboanga Peninsula is famous with its processed fish
products, rubber, seaweeds, canned and bottled sardines, shell crafts, copra
and others.
Oroquieta City
Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the Ozamis City Chamber of
Commerce and Industry and the city government of Oroquieta hosted this year’s
ZAMPENBIZCON which has for its theme, “One. Global. Filipino: Business Synergy
thru Public-Private partnership.”
Some 300 delegates
composed of businessmen, local government officials, representatives from the
different government line agencies and other stakeholders from all over the
region and neighboring places such as Cebu City, Butuan City and Cagayan de Oro
City attended the conference. (FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)