THE Philippine Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) in Davao said that peace talks are essential in advancing development and security in the banana industry in the country.
“Every time the concern on raising a discussion on peace talks, we become very optimistic about it. After all, we are all Filipinos,” PBGEA executive director Stephen Antig said in an interview on Friday, July 27, 2018 at PBGEA office, Davao city
Antig added that initiatives to secure peace through installing military task forces are still there.
“The Special Cafgu Active Auxiliary (SCAA) is still there to monitor and regulate order in the area,” Antig said.
Earlier on January 2018, attacks by the New People’s Army (NPA) on banana firms at Barangay Tamayong, Calinan district were reported.
Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Arturo Milan said these attacks would create negative perception for emerging investors as security in these plantations are threatened.
Antig even cited the attack on Lapanday Foods Corporation last 2017 by the NPA as a tragic incident which brought fatality to the victims of the attack, and even terror for Dabawenyos.
Antig also said aside from peace and security, outreach programs to the community must also be addressed in order for banana production to progress. After all, Antig said, the workers’ welfare is also a factor in advancing progress in the banana industry
“That’s why from our end, we are very much aggressive in investing in community development projects, generating scholarships, outreach programs, and livelihood assistance in order to resolve poverty,” Antig said.
Antig added that when the problems of poverty are addressed such as famine and employment, it translates into an efficient security progress for the banana industry to grow in the country.