DAVAO Region's economy would have collapsed were it not for the banana industry, according to a top official of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated (DCCCII).
The region fared poorly in last year's economic growth, ranking a measly third throughout Mindanao lagging behind Northern and Central Mindanao, which ranked first and second, respectively.
Lawyer Bienvenido Cariaga, the newly elected chair of the local business chamber, said without the banana industry, the economy of the region would have collapsed.
"Mas kulelat pa tayo compared to other regions, if the (banana) industry is not there," Cariaga said during the Kapihan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Monday.
"Prior to the expansion of the banana industry to other regions, when it was still just in Davao Region, we ranked first," he added.
Despite the strong performance of the banana industry, it has still been one of the most criticized due to its use of aerial spraying as an agricultural method in battling the dreaded Sigatoka disease.
"The city chamber will fight against the ban on aerial spraying," Cariaga said, adding that the banana industry is crucial for the local economy.
"Without it there will be unemployment, land will be forfeited as most of the lands used by small farmers and growers, including agrarian reform beneficiaries are still being paid monthly," he added.
The Regional Development Council has also thrown its support behind the banana industry by filing a resolution opposing an aerial spray ban.
The resolution was sent to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Arthur Yap. (CPM)