Wednesday, January 16, 2008 P10-M needed for better abaca tissue lab: Avila
DAVAO City Councilor Leo Avila said at least P10 million budget is needed in order to have a better abaca tissue culture laboratory in Davao City.
During the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM Entertainment Plaza Monday, Avila said an initial of P1 million was allotted by the City Government for the ongoing renovation of the abaca tissue culture laboratory at the City Agriculture Office. He said that the project cost is P2 to 3 million.
"Para mas mabilis ang pag-produce ng clean and disease-free abaca plantlets, mga around P10 million ang kailangan," Avila said.
He said Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab has already committed to assist Avila in his advocacy to produce disease-free abaca planting materials for farmers.
"I still do not know how much will he contribute for the project. Maybe it is proper kung siya mismo ang magsasabi," he said.
Avila said the Fiber Industry Development Authority (Fida) Southern Mindanao, which is the government's partner for the implementation of abaca expansion in Davao City, has already set up its own abaca tissue culture laboratory in Bago Oshiro, Mintal, Davao city.
He added that Fida Southern Mindanao and the city government are targeting to expand 5,000 hectares of abaca in Davao City particularly in the uplands of Mintal, Paquibato, Marilog and Baguio districts.
