DTI-ARMM to push for upgrading of rubber industry in Basilan

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1421477070054/dti-armm-to-push-for-upgrading-of-rubber-industry-in-basilan
• Thursday, October 27, 2016

Rene V. Carbayas

ISABELA CITY, Basilan (PIA) – The Department of Trade and Industry in the Muslim autonomous region will push for the development of the rubber industry in Basilan.

During the rubber industry investment forum recently held in Lamitan City, Atty. Anwar Malang, DTI-ARMM regional secretary said that DTI is gathering data and profile of the rubber industry here in order to find measures to further develop the industry.

“In fact, Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman has committed to allocate some P150-million for rubber processing here. If that will happen, there will be value-added measures for our rubber industry,” he said.

DTI is also soliciting some issues and concerns in order to plot measures that would address them.

“The current issue is the low price [of rubber]. But maybe we can process it and trade them outside with the ASEAN trade agreement in place plus the EcoZones, where they can be channeled,” he said.

When this happens, DTI is optimistic that the people of Basilan will prosper, the business will be better and the planters and small farmers could earn more, too.

Malang said that the regional government is also addressing the problem of cocolisap that is destroying the billion-peso coconut industry and has already sought the assistance of the Department of Agriculture to address the matter.

The trade chief explained that DTI’s mission is to make the economy of the ARMM competitive and inclusive.

“The good thing in Basilan is that the poverty incidence has gone down based on PSA data, and this could still be lowered,” he said.

DTI said that it will set up two Negosyo Centers, one in the province and one in Lamitan City that will help businessmen set up investments and to guide would-be business prospects.

“The main challenge is with the private sector. The government is doing everything in terms of public expenditures, especially in ARMM. Almost all of the roads here are concreted with the circumferential road in place. We are encouraging local investors. We encourage small businesses to merge and converge to become bigger,” he said.

However, the government is yet to fully address the issue of security, which has stopped businesses to thrive.

Malang was guest speaker at the investment forum held at Datu Dizal Cultural Center in Lamitan City where some 104 rubber farmers, agrarian reform cooperatives, traders, local government units, and select government agencies participated.

DTI-Basilan OIC provincial director said that the forum was initiated in partnership with the city government of Lamitan to provide stakeholders with better outlook and prospects of the rubber industry in Basilan.