by Michael Vincent D. Cajulao
ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 18 (PIA) – Department of Trade and Industry – Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Director Noel Bazan said business climate in the province has improved compared to last year.
In an interview during the 2nd leg of the 2012 Enhanced SME Regional Caravan held in Dipolog City last July 4-5, Dir. Bazan said the province’s existing major industry, bottled sardines, still maintains its strong sales in the market.
“We don’t have the figures as to how much our bottled sardines manufacturers earn as they do not divulge it. But with big improvements implemented in their manufacturing plants and facilities observed, it only shows that the industry is still strong and improving”, Bazan said.
Bazan said the government-imposed closed fishing season implemented in December 2011 and lifted last March played a big role in the improvement of bottled sardines industry.
“The fishing ban implemented early December until March this year has helped in the increase of fish supply, as it gave time for “tamban” (herring) fish to spawn or reproduce”, he pointed.
Aside from bottled sardines, Bazan also mentioned a number emerging industries seen to improve the province’s over-all economy.
“We also have bright agri-product prospects that will help spur economic development in the province. These are rubber and jathropa”, Bazan revealed.
Accordingly, more and more farmers are now engaging in jathropa propagation primarily for its oil.
“We have a sure market for our product, the BIONAS Company from Malaysia. Retired Department of Department of Education-9 OIC-Asst. Regional Director Habib Adzhar Sarahadil has actually brought in the company here using the name BIONAS-Philippines”, Bazan said.
Bazan said farmers are now very interested to plant jathropa as buying price increased since it was introduced in the country.
“BIONAS will be buying dried jathropa seeds for P11.00 per kilo. Before the buying price was only P4.00 per kilo. This has encouraged our famers to engage in jathropa planting”.
According to Dr. Sarahadil, by the end of this year they can now start producing jathropa oil, Bazan said.
DTI has also noted an increase in rubber planting in the province, once propagated mostly in Zamboanga Sibugay Province.
“We are surprised to learn that there are now rubber plantations in almost all of the municipalities in Zamboanga del Norte. For so long rubber is mostly grown in Zamboanga Sibugay, but Zamboanga del Norte is slowly catching up. We have yet to identify the land areas used for rubber though, but this is really a very good surprise”, Bazan said.
He also added that abaca planting is gaining grounds in the province.
“With the help if the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA), our farmers here were introduced to abaca. Farmers inter-crop abaca with rubber. These are our emerging agri-products here in Zamboanga del Norte, and we are very optimistic with its potentials”, Bazan said. (MVC/PIA9-ZBST)