By Manny Piñol
The banana industry, which for so long has been left to fend for itself, has found a champion in President Rody Duterte.
Speaking at the Banana Congress 2016 in Davao City Friday, President Duterte pushed for the creation of an agency which would focus on an industry which is now the second biggest foreign currency earner of the country, next to coconut.
The President told banana industry stakeholders gathered in the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang in Davao City that he favours a law enacted by Congress over a proposed Executive Order which called for the creation of a Banana Development Council.
He said an agency created by law to oversee the development, research and marketing of Philippine bananas would have a stronger foundation.
The Banana Congress participants crafted and approved a proposed bill called the Banana Industry Act of 2016 to be submitted to Congress.
The Philippines is the No. 1 producer of Cavendish banana for export to the different countries in Asia and has captured 95% of the market.
The industry, however, has largely been left on its own in dealing with problems on plant diseases, tenurial issues and extortion by rebel groups.
A seven-month drought and plant health issues like the Panama Disease has affected the industry, pulling down the banana earnings to only about $400-M last year.
With a total investment of P150-B, the banana industry now generates over $1-B in earnings every year and employs 540,000 workers.
The industry pays an annual tax to government amounting to over P6-B.
Before the arrival of the President, the Dept. of Agriculture announced the establishment of a One-Stop-Laboratory in Bago Oshiro, Davao City.
The One-Stop-Shop Laboratory facility will handle plant disease, animal disease, water and soil analysis and will be funded with P100-M by the DA.
The DA has also committed reforms in the implementation of quarantine regulations to lessen the bureaucratic red tape and prevent corruption.
During his speech, President Duterte said his efforts to reach out to the different rebel groups would have a big implication on the banana industry and other agricultural activities.
“Banana farming is really in Mindanao. But if you have rebels bothering you and even burning your equipment to extort money, your business will be affected,” he said.
Should his peace initiatives succeed, the President said Mindanao’s agriculture sector would enjoy a massive growth.
The Duterte administration has received plaudits from banana industry stakeholders for its successful efforts to convince China to lift its suspension on the export of bananas and pineapple by big fruit corporations.
The President will visit China on Oct. 18 to discuss among other things the increase in the volume of agricultural products brought into the country of over 1-B consumers.
(Photos by John Pagaduan)
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