Monday, September 24, 2007 First abaca plant in Davao proposed By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THE regional office of the Fiber Industry Development Authority (Fida) in Davao Region revealed that the City Government of Davao is pushing for the implementation of the Abaca Development Plan, a program that seeks to expand abaca areas and the construction of the first-ever abaca processing plant in the city.
Dr. Olympio Macarayan, Fida 11 regional director, told Sun.Star Davao Friday that Councilor Leonardo Avila met with officials of Fida 11 to discuss the matter.
Macarayan said Avila proposed to expand a total of 5,000 hectares of abaca in Davao City, including areas in Marilog, Toril, and Paquibato districts.
"Councilor Avila and Fida will first work for the expansion of abaca sites before we invite investors for the establishment of the processing plant because we need sufficient supply of abaca for the plant's operation," Macarayan said, adding they target to accomplish the expansion program within three years.
"The processing plant which will process abaca pulp and paper may be established five years from now, but the expansion will be accomplished within three years. The plant an either be located in Marilog, Toril or Paquibato," he said.
Macarayan said it is important to have sufficient supply of abaca for the plant operation, which needs at least 60 tons of abaca per day.
He added that if the proposal will be materialized, Davao City could directly export abaca pulp and semi-processed fibers to other countries.
It was learned that the abaca expansion proposal has an initial cost of P2 million. Macarayan said Avila will solicit from sources in order to support the purchase of the planting materials, production, education, and training of farmers.
He said the program implementation will be done in coordination with the City Agriculture Office and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.
Meanwhile, Macarayan said they will invite investors to pour in capital for the establishment and operation of the abaca processing plant.
"But the stripping machines which will be used in the plant operation is supposed to come from the government. A stripping machine costs around P160,000. If the government proposes 5,000 hectares of abaca plantation, marami-raming stripping machines ang kailangan kasi 15 hectares lang ang capacity ng isang machine," Macarayan said.
