Saturday, September 22, 2007 Fida postpones abaca caravan By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THE Abaca Caravan in Regions 10, 11, 12, and 13 were independently postponed by the head office of the Fiber Industry Development Authority (Fida) in Manila to next year following a limited budget for the activity.
"We expect to have the Abaca Caravan in Region 11 by next year, if not February, by March. The caravan was earlier scheduled September 20, but we were informed only last week that it will not push through," Dr. Olympio Macarayan, regional director of the Fida 11, told Sun.Star Friday.
The caravan, Macarayan said, was supposed to be held in Mati, Davao Oriental. Around 10 people from Fida-Manila are expected to join the caravan.
He said the caravan was scheduled to be held in Mati because Davao Oriental's LGU is the most aggressive in terms of holding such event. Davao Oriental was still identified to be the top abaca-producing province in the region. It has also the biggest hectarage of abaca plantation.
"The budget is limited that's why hindi na nakarating dito sa region and to other regions ang caravan, but next year, we will be the first region to have it," Macarayan said, adding that the caravan was initiated by the Fida head office. The activity was already held in Regions 1, 4, 5, and 8 during the first quarter of the year.
Macarayan further said the caravan is just a one-day activity wherein Fida gathers all stakeholders, farmers, non-government organizations, and local government units in a dialogue for the exchange of ideas and experiences, address common concerns and issues, and give information not only about abaca fiber but also about the Philippine natural fibers.
