A GROUP of Korean businessmen is set to pour a multi-million peso investment to businesses in Misamis Oriental, one of which is the booming silk industry.
The Koreans, led by Simon Bake and Phillip Park, visited Provincial Governor Yevgeny "Bambi" Emano last Wednesday, February 22, to express their intent in helping develop potential projects of the Provincial Government.
Nicole Managbanag, Provincial Information Officer, said the Korean businessmen are not only looking at investing in the silk industry but also in the province's health, infrastructure, and agriculture sectors.
"They instructed us to make a wish list nga unlimited as long as it is intended for the upgrading of our hospitals, assist farmers and fisherfolks which are former rebels, ug sa infra pud," she said.
"Ang pinakatumong gyud is they will help us sa kung unsay industry nga naa gyuy potential to boom dili lang sa nasud but sa international stage, such as, ang silk industry," she said.
Managbanag said the province is now fast-tracking the planting of mulberry trees, the silkworm's preferred food.
The province, she adds, is planning to replicate the planting of the said tree not only in Villanueva town but to the rest of the municipalities of Misamis Oriental as well.
The demand for Mindanao silk has increased since President Rodrigo Duterte himself chose a barong made of Mindanao silk to wear at his inauguration last year.
She said it is also one of Duterte's mandates and plans that all government uniforms in the future be made of silk.
"This is our time to shine, kay isa kita sa ga-produce gyud ani mao ng gapasapasan gyud nato kini ang pagtanom sa trees," she added.
A technical group has already been formed, led by The Provincial Government, and Department of Tourism-Northern Mindanao regional director Marie Elaine Unchuan said they are looking at innovating a new image of Mindanao silk like incorporating tribal or lumad designs to the silk cloth.
"With the President’s support to revive Mindanao silk, we take advantage of that support, before it’s a dying industry but today it’s been given a lot of attention," she said.
"With his help, I think we will go a long way in promoting this industry," she added.
The province, with the Department of Trade and Industry, will also be expanding the silk-weaving communities in other municipalities, not only in Laguindingan, but also in Claveria, Gingoog, Balingasag, particularly in the hinterland areas.
The long-term goal, according to Managbanag, is the establishment of a silkworm plant, complete with the machinery to supply a bigger market.