Friday, January 11, 2008 South Cotabato eyes China as market for g'melina pulp By Bong S. Sarmiento
KORONADAL CITY -- South Cotabato province is looking at China as a possible market for raw material in papermaking, officials said.
South Cotabato Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes said an investor, which she did not identify, recently signified interest to put-up a g'melina processing plant in nearby Surallah town.
"The pulp of the g'melina tree will be used as a raw material for papermaking in China," she said, appealing to growers not to cut the trees, as the prospective investor will be using them once they start operation.
Ramon Ponce de Leon, head of the provincial environment management office, confirmed the unidentified investor proposed the project in a recent meeting with the governor due to the presence of g'melina plantations in Surallah and neighboring municipalities of T'boli, Lake Sebu and Banga.
However, he declined to give more details on the proposed venture although he expressed optimism that the project will eventually take off the ground.
Fuentes also gave little details even as she claimed "more investors expressed interest to put up ventures in the province due to massive promotions of South Cotabato as an investment haven, as well as due to our track record in the implementation of various foreign-funded projects."
She said another group of investors is planning to put up a hotel in this capital city and a resort in scenic Lake Sebu town, the province's top tourism destination.
"Selling the province through international media exposure and the recent cultural presentation of the T'nalak group at Midusuji parade in Osaka,Japan is expected to attract tourists to visit and see for themselves the unique culture and beauty of South Cotabato," she said.
The provincial government has been continuously developing the seven falls in Lake Sebu town, which is known for its lakes where tilapia is cultured in cages.
Another group came over to the province last year for an ethanol plant-related project, Fuentes said.
Some 30,000 hectares of cassava is needed for the project, wherein more than 100,000 laborers and field workers are expected to get employment, she said.
The Provincial Planning and Development Office and the Provincial Agriculture Office are making preparatory plans. They will see to it that all needed requirements will be settled for such project, she said.
Last December, Independent oil company Eastern Petroleum Corp. announced that it would construct an ethanol plant worth P1.8 billion in nearby General Santos City, in partnership with Chinese firm Guanxi State Farm.
Fernando Martinez, Eastern Petroleum chairperson, said effort to reach the objective is already gaining ground through the establishment of cassava farms under the Eastern Renewable-Fuels Corporation.
He noted that the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani would play hosts to cassava plantations to provide the requirements of the planned ethanol plant.
Under Republic Act 9637 or the Biofuels Act, which was signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last year, oil companies are mandated to blend 5 percent ethanol in gasoline products two years after the signing.
Four years after the effectivity of the law, the blend will be increased to 10 percent.
