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Wednesday, March 02, 2005
The frontiers of economy
By Bibs M. Bustamante
In Contemplation
"The need to advance economically may no longer be important to them but just to stir the economy of the place is justification enough."
DEVELOPING untapped territories ensures economic success to the person who came there to develop the territories first, once the signs of economic activities starts to show.
This has been the lesson of history. The Spaniards who came here and owned vast areas of lands were proven richer and their riches were even dripping down to the enjoyment of their present descendants. Notice he prevalence of the Spanish-sounding names of landed and influential families of Davao City.
The Americans are noted for their zeal and resolve to tap potential frontiers for the benefit of humankind by taking all the risks and even if no one else dares to delve into it.
Because of this attitude, the Americans can now be relied upon with their advance knowledge on space explorations, computer and Internet technologies, medical findings and breakthroughs, and scientific advancements.
The same untiring attitude by only a few persons could propel what was once a timid town to become alive again with all possible economic activities. The need to advance economically may no longer be important to them but just to stir the economy of the place is justification enough.
By reason of the ideas of a few enterprising individuals, which they enthusiastically put to use, the place could now be agog with activities accompanied with the gainful employment of its residents.
This was what Ramon Tulfo had observed in the capital town of Davao Oriental when he saw transshipment activities of logs on its port. In his column barely a month ago, Tulfo said he witnessed the loading activities when he was eating in one of the seaside restaurants of Mati (5,164.5 sq. km. area). He said he asked one of the residents who did not know what was going on. He concluded it was a case of illegal logging, which he indirectly blamed on the incumbent governor Ma. Elena T. Palma Gil.
He did not know that the logs came from Malaysia for shipment to China. Malaysia chose to transship the logs in the Philippines due to its various advantages. Tulfo did not ask the authorities whether or not the PPA, DENR and other duties and charges due the other government agencies were paid, as in fact those were already paid. He did not know that the labors and supervisions used in the transshipment are residents of Mati.
In fact he may not know that the activities give opportunity for a possible resurgence of international voyages to dock or anchor in Mati port as once before once the planned project of Rep. Mayo Almario to expand the pier be materialized with the funding derived from the budget of PPA.
To harness these inherent advantages of our Mati port is a case of expansion of our frontiers. The proponents of the pier expansion may yet have a hard time making representations with the authorities to push through with such gigantic project which may cost at least P70 million, but with the support of all stakeholders in the said town and province, the same can be materialized for the great benefit of this soon-to-be city of the orient.
(bibsbust@yahoo.com)
(March 2, 2005 issue)
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