Friday, August 10, 2007 MinBC submits resolutions for food generation in Mindanao By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THE executive director of the Mindanao Business Council (MinBC) said some resolutions concerning important issues for food generation in Mindanao have already been submitted to agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap who will give his response during the 6th Mindanao Food Congress slated on August 15 and 16 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
"We already submitted the resolutions to allow him (Arthur Yap) to have enough time to response," said Jason Magnaye, MinBC's executive director.
The resolutions, Magnaye said, are about matters concerning the tuna industry, research and development support, the lowering of importation cost of soybeans and corn, and a resolution for the vegetable industry.
"We need to negotiate to the European market for possible higher minimum volume for the tuna export, we also proposed that the government will provide linkages to support the food industry in Mindanao," Magnaye said.
He added that MinBc proposed to lower the importation cost of soybeans and corn in order to help the development of the poultry and livestock sector.
"For the vegetable industry, we also urge the DA to put importance to the revised programs for the industry, we expect that Secretary Yap will deliver straightforward response to these resolutions," he said.
Aside from Secretary Arthur Yap who will attend to the upcoming 6th Mindanao Food Congress, Senator Edgardo Angara and Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila were also invited to be guest speakers of the event.
Favila will tackle about the Establishment of the Mindanao Agri Eco Zone: Its Challenges and Promises; Angara will speak about Agri-Entrepreneurship: A Competitive Strategy for Mindanao's Productivity and Profitability; while Yap will have a dialogue with the livestock and poultry sector, aquaculture and fisheries, and fruits and vegetables sectors from Mindanao.
