BSWA marks 2nd founding anniversary

By Alma L. Tingcang

BUUG, Zamboanga Sibugay - Everyone was in a festive mood. The Subanen community, guests, local folks had a reason to celebrate because September 30 was the 2^nd founding anniversary of the Buug Subanen Workers Association (BSWA).

No less than Congresswoman Nancy Alaan Catamco of North Cotabato’s 2^nd District, Indigenous Peoples (IPs) committee chairman who is a Bagobo/Manobo descendant was the keynote speaker of the occasion.

Catamco was supposed to attend an LP convention but asked to be excused to give way to the invitation of the IPs in Buug. “We need to unite as a people, the Lumads. If we are not united, our culture and race will die. This is a great challenge for us to stand as one,” she said.

The lady lawmaker recommended a census of all Subanen in the area to have a baseline data so that whenever government interventions are available, IPs could be easily located and identified and they will be given immediate assistance.

Before the celebration started, the Daga ritual was observed led by the tribal leaders and witnessed by Catamco, which signifies blessings for everyone who joined and supported the celebration.

Ms. Jocelyn M. Chua, president of the BSWA cited the overwhelming support of tribal leaders, local official, IPs, national government agencies and other stakeholders making the celebration memorable and enjoyable.

“I would like to thank all of you for your untiring efforts. You have given me inspiration, and without your support, I would not have done this on my own,” Ms. Chua said passionately.

“It is not easy to lead this organization. They started out with nothing, only their hearts and minds. They had no capital. From there they moved on, with the support of government agencies and their efforts were not in vain. The hard work really paid off,” said  Ms. Margie Baya, chief administrative  officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) representing RD Timuey Lim P. Wong.

“These products represent our tribe. I salute your president, Ms. Jocelyn  Chua for spearheading the BSWA,” Baya said.

She is looking forward to the day that these products will be on display at the duty free shop in international airports. “Maybe a few years from now, we could see Americans or foreigners buying our products here in Zamboanga Sibugay,” she said positively.

“This way, I could say that the Subanen people have not remained primitive, as believed and perceived by some people. We are moving forward and we are proud to say that our clients have not remained in the mountains,” Baya went on to say.

She encouraged the IPs to continue improving their product with the support of government and partner agencies.

Meanwhile, The BSWA president Joy Chua said she is grateful for the government support in putting up a wine and vinegar factory in barangay Manlin, this town. To date, there are already 100 officers and members of the association and currently producing  pangase wine, special spicy vinegar, adlai wine and corn wine.

“This is a rare occasion that we are visited by the IPs committee chair in Congress,” Board member Boyet Yambao said. He acknowledged that the first settlers of Zamboanga Sibugay were Subanen so they have a right to govern the province.

Yambao recalled that when he was a board member in 2005, when the selection process was not systematized yet, the SP allocated funds so that there will be an IP representative who will sit as board member. “We were the first to implement it, nauna pa tayo sa ibang probinsiya,” Yambao quoted.

“Our province is already 15 years old and we aim to make the province the center of sustainable agri-industrial growth and model of good governance in the Zamboanga Peninsula. Let us all ponder on this and think what have we done to reach this goal,” Yambao challenged.

Yambao called on all IPs to first unite themselves and all local officials will be there to help and support their endeavors.

Other guests who witnessed the celebration were Mayor Jonam Lagas, local officials, heads of government agencies: DOLE, DOST, DAR, TESDA, PIA, NCCA, Princess Sunita Ryde and Subanen leaders from the different towns of the province.

Over 200 patients availed free medical/dental services, circumcision (Tuli), medicines, free haircut and feeding of pre-school children. Ms. Chua expressed her gratefulness to the medical team of the 44^th IB under Lt. Col. Tommy Crosby, to the PNP for ensuring peace and order and to all who contributed to make the 2^nd BSWA Anniversary celebration a memorable success. 

SSS Basilan inaugurates new office

By Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan – Better services are expected from the Social Security System (SSS) as it inaugurated its new office here recently..

The new office is more spacious, comfortable and cozy compared to its previous location in downtown Isabela City. It also acquired new generator set for its air conditioning system to fully function even during brownouts.

The new SSS office in Basilan is located at the ground floor of NFK building in Sunrise, Isabela City. Branch Manager Ma. Salvacion F. Alam has invited Basileños to visit their new office to avail of the improved programs and services of the SSS.

SSS Western Mindanao Division Assistant Vice President Atty. Rodrigo B. Filoteo, together with all other branch managers in Zamboanga Peninsula graced the occasion. The other SSS Branch Heads present were: James B. Buckly (Pagadian), Jaime S. Casumpang (Dipolog), and Rudy M. Lacandalo (Ipil).

Rev. Fr. Franklin Floyd Costan officiated the blessing & inauguration of SSS Basilan new office which would provide better service to its clients.

Speaking on behalf of Isabela City Mayor Cherrylyn Santos-Akbar, Councilor Abner Rodriguez cited the efforts and commitment of SSS in dealing with the needs of every SSS member by making transactions easier & convenient, that afforded more people access to social security. He hopes that SSS can reach more vulnerable sectors.

Lamitan City administrator Danilo Alvaro also lauded the efforts of SSS  for reaching out to Lamitan City employees under job order and contractual services who are not members of  GSIS to avail of SSS services that would provide social security to employees.

At the inauguration last September 29, Philippine National Bank (PNB) Manager Ma. Rica M. Delos Reyes bared that the bank has opened salary loan program to SSS pensioners 69 yrs old below starting June this year with an interest rate of only about 1.25% for 10 months.

In an interview, Atty. Filoteo urged employers in Basilan to enroll their employees and to pay the right amount of contribution based on their salary regularly..

“The rate of penalty [on delinquent employers] imposed is quite high this time under Republic Act 8787 of 1997,” Atty. Filoteo said.

He also asked those currently working as self-employed to visit SSS and enroll themselves as member and be an active member so that in cases of contingencies, one can avail of all the benefits that the system is providing.

He advised delinquent employers to pay diligently because SSS lawyers and account officers will go after them to ensure that the SSS law is being implemented.

Guidance counselors, career advocates get latest LMI and trends in Career Congress

By Jocelyn P Alvarez

ZAMBOANGA CITY - Job-skills mismatch still forms a serious and major part of unemployment rate in the country. When graduates wrestle for work after college, skills become their torch, their fighting chance to triumph over employers, putting into consideration our ever changing, and evolving labor and market requirements. Employers are now keener on the skills rather than the educational background of the applicants, which gives rise to the problem of jobs mismatch.

With this, the present administration through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) have been in constant talk with education sector to update course curricula that will bring the skills closer, if not at par with the standards of labor industries.

Recently, DOLE 9 conducted the 2^nd Regional Career Advocacy Congress here to capacitate and equip career guidance advocacy allies with up-to-date Labor Market Information (LMI) and trends in the global and national context, for their use in effective and efficient delivery of career guidance to students and job seekers.

The two-day activity (conducted Sept. 29-30)also provided the participants (guidance counselors and career advocates) the opportunity to be updated with new concepts and strategies for career guidance in the 21^st century in order to assist people to find suitable learning and career opportunities.  Best practices of guidance counselors were also showcased during the event.

DOLE 9 Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano said the career congress hopes to help in “building back better Zamboanga” thru promoting career guidance as a relevant tool in youth development, contributing to the prosperity and welfare of the city

The challenge of addressing skills mismatch and creation of decent employment opportunities require policy and decision makers to adopt to the changing labor and market requirements, “that is why it is very timely that this administration pushes for the full implementation of theEnhanced Basic Education Curriculum (K to 12),” said Dominique R. Tutay, Director , Bureau of Local Employment .

“Importanteponamaisulongang K to 12 for  full implementation, dahilpopagdatingsaibangbansa, for instance, ng atingmga education and training output, lagipotayong may kakulangan, and therefore hindiposilanare-recognize as regular employee at kinakailangan pa po ng trainings so as to fulfill and match the requirements and demands of other countries,” Tutay said.

In DOLE parlance, jobs mismatch means when the job seekers do not match the skills requirement of the employers. It is a mismatch between the skills workers possess and what jobs require, what economists call an imbalance between the supply and demand for human capital.

DOLE, AFP distribute kabuhayan starter kits to farmers, fisherfolks, women in Guipos town

By Gideon C. Corgue

GUIPOS, Zamboanga del Sur – In its desire to improve the socio-economic well-being of workers in the informal sector, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Friday, October 2, distributed Kabuhayan Starter Kits to 100 beneficiaries in Dalapan barangay hall here.

DOLE officer-in-charge Camilo Encila led the distribution ceremony assisted by 102nd brigade commander Col. Andres Aguinaldo, Jr. and 53^rd Infantry battalion commander LtCol. Alvin Luzon.

Out of school youth, women, elderly, farmers, fisherfolks and other workers in the informal sector from the municipalities of Guipos, Kumalarang and San Miguel were among the beneficiaries of the starter kits.

DOLE Kabuhayan Starter Kits is a livelihood formation strategy of the government designed to improve the socio-economic well-being of workers in the informal economyand their families.

Encila said the starter kits consist of a package of services that will enable the target beneficiaries to quickly start a livelihood undertaking and become self-employed.

“The people will no longer think of working abroad because they can earn money from the starter kits,” Encila opined.

“Sa inyong kalihokan sa panginabuhi gamit ang starter kits nga gihatag kaninyo sa gobyerno, makakita kamo ug kwarta. Dili na kinahanglan nga moadto pa sa abroad o sa kauluhan aron mangita ug trabaho tungod kay mao kini ang bugtong paagi nga mapalambo ang inyong pamuyo (With your livelihood undertakings utilizing the starter kits given to you by the government, you can earn money. There is no need for you to go abroad or in Manila to look for a job because this is the only way that you can improve your standard of living), ”Encila explained.

He also cited the sad fate of Filipinosworking abroad saying that many of those who were employed as domestic helpers and caregivers and other professionals were victims of sexual and physical abuse.

Meanwhile, Col. Andres Aguinaldo congratulated the beneficiaries for availing the project adding that not all the people of the three municipalities have availed of the project.

He encouraged them to continue supporting the programs of the government saying that there are still many programs of the government that are designed to uplift the living conditions of the poor.

“I urge everyone to support the peace efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines thru the Internal Peace and Security Plan “Bayanihan” campaign,” Aguinaldo said, adding that the program will not be realized sans help of the stakeholders.

LtCol. Alvin Luzon said he is optimistic that the DOLE project will be felt by the people as envisioned by the present administration’s “inclusive growth.”The DOLE, other national government agencies, military and local government units are working hand in hand so that services will trickle down to the grassroots.

PNoy: Tawi-Tawi progressing through gov’t infra, dev’t projects

By Dominic I. Sanchez

BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi – Being residents in far-flung areas does not mean that access to government services should equally be as far. Tawi-Tawi is one example of a steadily progressing province, given its geographical location.

In his message to about 1,500 residents of Tawi-Tawi, the southernmost province in the Philippines, President Benigno S. Aquino III emphasized that it is more reason for government to be closer to them.

“Hindi poibigsabihinnamagingmalayona din angmga boss saserbisyo ng gobyerno,” (This doesn’t mean that the bosses will also be far from the services of government) President Aquino emphasized.

“KahitsaansaPilipinas, sa Luzon, Visayas o Mindanao, kung anoangkailangan ng mga boss, yunangdapatnatingtugunan,” (wherever the bosses are in the Philippines, in Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao, whatever it is they need, the government should provide) he added.

President Aquino visited Tawi-Tawi on October 3 to inspect the progress of the almost-completed Sanga-Sanga-Lapid-Lapid bridge network. The bridge, when completed will link the farms in mainland PanglimaSugala to the province’s trade center in Bongao.

The President shared that the three bridges are a product of the local government’s persistence to have Tawi-Tawi’s dream realized. Earlier, Governor NurbertSahali lobbied for this project from President Aquino.

“The governor was diligent enough to provide me with a very thorough study outlining the plans for the bridges,” President Aquino said. The project costs roughly about Php450-million. “I told him then that we had to save up,” the President quipped.

According to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Sec. Rogelio Singson, the road and bridge access network project started in 2013, and when completed, will run for about 115 kilometers. He added that the entire project will be “finished by 2016.”

Meanwhile, Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Sec. Joseph Abaya shared that the Tawi-Tawi airport will eventually expand its runway, adding that there will already be flights from Cebu to Tawi-Tawi and vice-versa. “This will boost economic activities here,” Sec. Abaya said.

Meanwhile, Department of Energy (DOE) Sec. ZenaidaMonsada shared that the President had committed 100% energization of all sitios in the province. “As of recent, we are already 80% energized,” Sec. Monsada said.

According to former Governor SadikulSahali, the realization of the projects, to include the Tawi-Tawi airport had enabled the province to become the lead exporter of cassava. On the other hand, Governor NurbertSahali looks forward to a more promising, more developed future for the province, once all needed projects are realized with the help of the Aquino administration.

Civil society leaders have also expressed their gratitude to President Aquino. Sr. RitaflorServidad of a Tawi-Tawi-based non-government organization shared that people’s struggles in transportation have been uplifted after infrastructure projects have been poured in.

“Our sincerest gratitude to our President to have made our dream come true,” Gov. Sahali said.

President Aquino, after seeing the projects nearing completion in Tawi-Tawi said: “It now looks like you are steadily moving forward to development and progress.”

DOLE extends P1-M livelihood assistance to Sirawai farmers/fisherfolks

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - Farmers and fisherfolks from Zambonga del Norte’s third district have benefited from a livelihood assistance of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) recently.

In a simple turnover ceremony held at Dipolog City Boulevard here, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda D. Baldoz handed to Al Hadaya Farmers and Fisherfolks Association President Mr. Benjamin P. Yahiya two fishing boats complete with accessories worth P453 thousand and another fishing boat worth P223,400, also complete with accessories was given to Balubuan Farmers and Fishing Association through its president, Bolleng M. Bontong.

The fishing boat was made of hard wood and powered by a 2-horse engine with 1,800-meter fishing nets.

Apart from the fishing boat, Balubuan FFS also received four goats comprising of 1 billy and 4 nannys for its livelihood from the provincial government of Zamboanga del Norte.

Al Hadaya FFS, which has been in operation for two years has more than 50 members.

Both Al Hadaya FFS and Balubuan FFS thanked the government for the assistance and vowed to repay it by taking care of the fishing boats and to help in the maintenance of peace and order in the community by running after illegal fishing activities. However, no piracy and illegal fishing activities have been monitored in the area lately, Yahiya reported.

Governor Roberto Uy, on the other hand, assured Secretary Baldoz that the recipients would take care of the boats and used these “as an instrument for change.”

The turnover ceremony was attended by Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn Uy, DOLE-9 Regional Director Sisinio B. Cano, DOLE-Zamboanga del Norte Field Office head Lourdes B. Amores, provincial and city officials and employees as well as representatives from the military.

Titay LGU holds PAMPER DAY for employees

By Alma L. Tingcang

TITAY, Zamboanga Sibugay - Some 80 local government employees of this town were treated to a spoiling spree through free haircut, manicure, pedicure and massage recently at the 3^rd floor of Titay Municipal Hall.

Mayor Maria Esperanza Corazon Rillera said when she assumed office in 2013, she started the Employees’ Pamper Day except last year, which was in recognition for their hard work, loyalty and dedication in the name of public service.

“I want to give primacy to the work done by LGU employees. It is a way of thanking them and to make them feel that they are given importance. This is also to let them feel relaxed, look good and feel good, in spite of the busy work schedules that they attend to,” Mayor Rillera explained.

Ten beauticians including massage therapists were hired to attend to the beauty needs of the employees. They were assisted by LGU Titay to avail of TESDA scholarship for them to learn more skills and uplift their economic condition.

“This is also one way to boost their self-confidence, thus become motivated making them more productive in their work,” the lady mayor concluded. 

NCCA opens ‘Schools for the Living Tradition Gallery’ in Pagadian

By Franklin P. Gumapon

PAGADIAN CITY – To preserve the arts and culture of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in Zamboanga del Sur, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has formally opened yesterday its “Schools for the Living Tradition Gallery” along P. Urro st., San Francisco District this city.

The gallery serves as the craft center where the artworks and hand-woven crafts like baskets, mats, hats, textile, etc. are being displayed to popularize the arts and culture of the Subanen, Maguindaoan and other IP groups in the province.

In his message, City Councilor Bievenido Culve said the gallery “is a welcome development for the city,” as it showcases the unique arts and crafts of the IPs in the area. “Art is not a form of propaganda; it’s a form of truth,” Culve stressed.

On the other hand, Regional Director Noemi B. Edaga of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-9, commended the NCCA for setting up the said gallery in the city as it would certainly help promote the culture of the IPs.

Mr. Roservirico Tan, chief of the Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9, also reiterated the agency’s programs aimed at helping out the IP communities like the National Greening Program, processing of Ancestral Domain Claims and others. While Ms. Margarita Baya of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-9 urged the IPs especially the young ones to help preserve their culture by learning and using their dialects, dances, songs, customs and practices. “If we don’t do this, where will we be two to five years from now?” she asked.

Also present during the opening of the craft center were representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd), tribal leaders and cultural masters who are engaged in teaching ethnic arts and crafts.

The Dumendingan Arts Guild, Inc., a consortium of local artists, is tasked with manning the said gallery.

FFS graduation, harvest festival held in Dipolog

BY Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY - A total of 28 farmers from the different barangays of this city graduated on Tuesday from a six-month training given by the East-West Seed Company, Inc. dubbed “Farmer’s Field School (FFS)” on high-value vegetable production using natural farming system.

In her message, Mayor Evelyn T. Uy urged the graduates to sustain their efforts, continue using the natural farming technology, and refrain from using chemicals in their farms.

The lady mayor assured the farmers of the market for their produce saying “ the City Agriculture Office (CAO) will buy their products and they will be given a space at the city market.

Uy also reiterated that the city government programs with DAR are now reaping dividends. “The city government gave 50 percent as its counterpart to all the ADB-funded projects implemented by DAR,” she declared. 

The 28 graduates were composed of 17 males and 11 female farmers from barangays San Jose, Gulayon, Sangkol, Diwan, Sinaman, Galas, Punta, Olingan, and Cogon.  

The six-month training was administered by East-West Seed Co, Inc., headed by Technology Transfer Manager Dr. Roberto Acosta.

For his part, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Mohammad Dassan J. Adju of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)-Zamboanga del Norte expressed his gratitude to the provincial and city governments for providing counterpart funds to the projects implemented by the department in the province.

Ms. Enone Realiza, one of the graduates, challenged the other graduates to be proud of being a farmer and to apply what they have learned during the training. She also appealed to the buyers to buy their produce at a reasonable price.

To ensure the market of their products, City Agriculturist Kerr Porlas said a Memorandum of Marketing Agreement will be inked between the farmers and the city government for the provision of a space at the city market for vegetables and other agricultural products produced through natural farming system technology.

The top 5 graduates are Edgar V. Flores of Sinaman with the rating 92.5%,  Edilito J. Murro of Sinaman-89.5%, Espedita J. Cadano of Sangkol-87.5%, Rey S. Abequivel of San Jose-86.5, and Jovito S. Ganta  of San Jose 80.75 %.

The agencies joining hands in implementing the project are DAR-ADB ARCP 2; EAST-West Seed Co. Inc., (Phils) headed by its technology transfer manager, Dr. Roberto Acosta and city government. 

USAID conducts training workshop for youth advocates

By Rhea Grace A. La Plana

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The United States Agency for International Development John Hopkins (USAID JH)Piego– Mindanao Health,in cooperation with the Department of Health-9  and the  Commission on Population-9 conducted a Training Workshop for Youth Advocates on Adolescent Reproductive Health and Rights at Casa Mea Hotel here on Sept. 28-30.

Adolescence is the stage when teens go through a lot of changes physically and experience emotional and mental adjustments. This is a critical stage wherein young minds are exposed to the realities in life, and need the guidance of parents, teachers and elders in making the right decisions.

Global investment in adolescent health has been scarce despite its importance and significant impact on returns in individual well-being and national progress in the past.

For this reason, USAID JH Piego – Mindanao Health launched series of trainings in Zamboanga Peninsula with the ultimate purpose of equipping the youth with established dispositions to gain chances at leading productive lives in adulthood.

“Teenage pregnancy and drug addiction have relatively increased in the past threeyears in this province,” Ms. Cecille A. La Plana, Area Administrative Officer of USAID JH Piego – Mindanao Health said.The training provided essential knowledge to encourage the teens to set priorities in life, focus on their studies and get involved in productive undertakings.

At an early age, making wrong decisions may bring about unwanted teenage pregnancies, drug addiction and other teenage problems that can totally crash their youthful dreams and goals.

Mr. Eryl Jove D. Jocson of DepEd Ipil facilitated the invitation of participating schools and teen representatives to attend the 3-day workshop for 10 guidance counselors and 30 young teen students from various public and private schools in Ipil, Imelda, Talusan, Tungawan, Diplahan and RT Lim. 

A registered nurse from Ateneo de Zamboanga, Mr. ArvieArcilla articulated that the role of each teen is indeed very important in sharpening their minds and shaping their own future.

Ms. Maria Rosalinda K. Fernando, Information Officer of PopCom R9 explicitly emphasized to the youth that they are the ones shaping their own career paths, so they need to have the right thinking and be guided to reacha right decision.

Such training indeed provided the right venue to capacitate the guidance counselors with techniques and skills to enable them to become effective moderators of the youth.

The USAID-sponsored workshop was construed as initial session for the preparation for the Teen Summit in Sibugay to be held in October 2015. 

Bantay Dagat/Kalikasan Task Force gets P2.5-M patrol boat

By Franklin P. Gumapon

LABASON, Zamboanga del Norte – To ward off attacks by lawless elements operating in the coastal towns of Zamboanga del Norte’s third district, a patrol boat has been turned-over recently to the Bantay Dagat/Kalikasan Task Force led by the 21^st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army (PA) based in the area.

Speaking during the patrol boat launching held at Barangay Osukan here, Col. Jesus Mananquil Jr., commanding officer of the 101^st Infantry Brigade, PA, emphasized that the goal of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) “is to promote peace and order in the whole of Mindanao.”

“With this patrol boat, the Bantay Dagat/Kalikasan Task Force which is composed of the army, police, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders, will now be able to run after illegal fishing, piracy, kidnapping, extortion and other forms criminalities perpetrated by the lawless groups in the province’s third district,” Mananquil said.

The P2.5-million patrol boat was acquired through the congressional office of Congressman Isagani S. Amatong, representative of the third district.

On behalf of Congressman Amatong, his chief of staff, Adrian A. Amatong said, “no single agency of the government can solve the problems of illegal fishing, piracy or extortion activities,” as these need collective efforts among government agencies.

For his part, Engr. Joseph Florig, assistant regional director of BFAR-9, expressed his gratitude to all agencies and organizations, which take part in protecting the seas and the marine resources saying “BFAR before acted alone and it was a lonely job.”

“Ang dagat problema kay daghan man ang tag-iya dili sama sa yuta nga kadtong lamang adunay titulo maoy manag-iya (The sea is a problem because a number own it, unlike the lands that only those with land titles owning them),” Florig explained.

The BFAR official also hoped that the involvement of the different agencies in the fight against illegal fishing would continue.

Moreover, Vice Governor Senen O. Angeles also said “the unified movement for Batay Dagat/Kalikasan is a very good move in the protection against piracy, terrorism, kidnapping and illegal fishing that would redound to the protection of our environment.”

Nine of the 13 municipalities of Zamboanga del Norte’s third district have coastal barangays facing the Sulu Sea that stretches up to Zamboanga City. 

Strategic planning, workshop held to support Cacao Industry in ZamPen

By Emmanuel D. Taghoy

ZAMBOANGA CITY – To generate support toward the increasing cacao production and strengthen the Cacao Industry Cluster in Zamboanga Peninsula (ZamPen) region, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-9 spearheaded the conduct of strategic planning and workshop here at the Grand Astoria Hotel on Sept. 28-29.

Promoting public private partnership, business establishments from the private sector and government agencies participated in the activity to come up with the Value Chain Map and Action Plan of the Cacao Industry Cluster.

Cacao is regarded as one of the priority high value crops identified by the government due to its emerging prospects in both local and foreign markets. The crop has also been a major source of livelihood for most local farmers over the years.

As one of the emerging products of the region, the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 passed Resolution No. 040, series of 2015 approving Cacao as an emerging product of Zamboanga Peninsula to gain support from the various sectors in the community.

“We are trying to jumpstart the cacao industry in Mindanao because of the diminishing supply of cacao in the world market, and Mindanao has a very big chance to catch up to be a big supplier of cacao,” Secretary Luwalhati Antonino, chair of Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said in a report.

The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) revealed that the country has a total cocoa production of about 4 thousand metric tons in 2013. Zamboanga Peninsula region is the third producing region with a total output of 103.51 metric tons next to Davao region with more than 3 thousand  metric tons and Northern Mindanao with 193.31 metric tons.

Region 9 has a total plantation of 348 hectares with a total of 88 thousand fruit bearing trees.

Included in the discussion of the two-day workshop are: Cacao Industry Profile and sharing of Southern Mindanao Cluster Industry Road Map; Introduction of the Value Chain Approach (definition, value chain map, rationale of promoting value chain and greening the value chain).

Furthermore, the ZamPen Cacao Industry Cluster Team will also be organized in the activity.