THE Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (DCCCII) will be studying ways to encourage local manufacturers of health and hygiene supplies to invest in the city.

In a virtual presser Tuesday, April 7, DCCCII president John Carlo B. Tria said a local manufacturer of health and hygiene products will ensure its availability in times of health crisis like the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

"There will be a need nga dapat within Mindanao naa na tay local manufacturer aning mga importante nga mga produkto like sabon, toothpaste, and alcohol (We need a local manufacturer in Mindanao that can produce items like soap, toothpaste, and alcohol)," he said.

He said the companies in Davao currently source alcohol and personal protective equipment (PPE) from manufacturers in Cebu and Manila but it will be a challenge if there are shortages of supplies in these areas.

"Lisod man gud nga mag depende sa mga (It would be challenging if we depend on our supplies from the) producers outside of the islands especially if there is shortage. Kinahanglan naa tay readily available nga supply (We should have a readily available supply)," he said.

Tria noted that Mindanao is abundant in raw materials for these products.

"Sa Mindanao naa man tay asukal both in Davao del Sur and Bukidnon nga maoy raw material para sa ethyl alcohol. Daghan pud tay kalubihan nga posibleng source sa mga raw materials sa sabon (We have sugar from Davao del Sur and Bukidnon which is the raw material for ethyl alcohol. We also have coconut plantations which can be a source for raw materials for soap)," he said.

"Next week, we will be starting our analysis on the possible policies to encourage mga possible investments nga ingon ani sa Mindanao particularly in various places diri sa atong isla," he said.

Tria said the chamber will also discuss with other agencies the possible areas of these kinds of investments in Mindanao and Davao Region.