A CHINESE firm is interested in establishing a phytochemical laboratory near Tubalan Cove in Barangay Tubalan, Davao Occidental, according to a trade department official.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Davao Occidental program director Joycelyn Banlasan said the planned phytochemical factory, a local government unit (LGU)-assisted billion-peso project, is now in the Board of Investments (BOI) and still in its preparatory stages.

“As of this time, they are still in the process of clearing the area where the investors wish to locate,” she said.

She explained the company is negotiating with the residents of the shoreline in Sitio Udalo, Barangay Tubalan, which is found to be a strategic location for the project. The clearing will affect around 150 to 200 families.

“Mao man gud na ang very conducive for the ship to come to the area and gwapo ang iyang location. Maong gi-try sa local government (LGU) nga i-clear up na sila and naay gi-allocate nga relocation area ang [Davao Occidental provincial] governor [Claude Bautista] para ma-relocate sila Banlasan said.

(It is a very good place for docking ships that is why the LGU is trying to clear the area. Davao Occidental provincial governor Claude Baustista has allocated a relocation site for the affected families.)

Once settled, she said only then can the company finalize the agreement with the provincial and local government units.

Banlasan also shared that although it is not yet official, the company hopes to employ around 600 to 800 workers in the factory.

She also noted that Bautista has asked the firm to get the workers from the community.