The World Bank (WB) late this week disclosed it approved a $83.752-million loan sought by the Philippine government to finance the second phase of a four-part program aimed at improving food security in Mindanao through the development of its agriculture.

In a statement released to the media, the international lender said its board of directors approved Phase 2 of the Mindanao Rural Development Project which will benefit 225 municipalities in the 27 provinces of Mindanao. The World Bank said the second phase of the project will improve the delivery of services to the agriculture and fisheries sector, making sure that production increases to ensure food security

The programs will also pilot-test a performance-based grant scheme aimed at spurring local government units into developing infrastructure in their areas. “MRDP2 encompasses strong approaches related to community-driven development which will help promote the active and continued participation of indigenous peoples and other disadvantaged groups in the development process,” World Bank Country Director for the Philippines Joachim von Amsberg said in the statement.

“Almost a third of the country’s poor live in Mindanao. We hope that through this project the Mindanaoans will experience greater economic and integration opportunities, particularly to indigenous communities and other disadvantaged groups,” Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said. The agriculture department is the overall executing agency of the development program while the local government units (LGUs) are the implementers of subprojects identified and prioritized by targeted communities.

The first phase of the development project was completed in 2004. It covered five provinces and 32 municipalities in Mindanao. Its third phase, which has yet to receive funding, aims to deepen the program by making sure that all eligible municipalities in Mindanao will be covered. The fourth phase intends to secure the sustainability of the development initiatives.

(PIA-ZN)

The signing of Memorandum of Agreement between the provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte and the DPWH Regional office will start the road project from Sicayab to San Vicente. It was learned that Malacañang has already released the initial amount of P18M to DPWH Zamboanga. Gov. Lando Yebes, chairman of Regional Development Council for Region IX recently disclosed that the initial amount is part of the P80M Malacañang has allocated for the road project. The said road project which would lead to Pulauan port in Dapitan will accommodate shippers with 40-foot container vans. Presently, the governor pointed out, only 10-foot container vans are allowed to ply the Dipolog-Pulauan road.

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Gutalac will be the site of the first ethanol plant in Mindanao and there are serious and interested investors. This was recently stressed by Gov. Lando Yebes when some sectors were pessimistic about its establishment.

He also disclosed that President Gloria M. Arroyo witnessed the Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement in Nanning, China and passed the scrutiny of Malacañang and Board of Investment. Those interested investors included Henry Sy of the SM Group of Companies, Banco de Oro and Fabribas Bank of France.

It was learned that the initial investments of P400M will be released as soon as the Zanorte Bioenergy Corporation shall have secured the required area of land for planting sugar cane which is the raw material of ethanol plant. The governor disclosed further that they have already secured two thousand hectares in Gutalac which will be placed under the lease agreement and shall be rented at P1,300.00 per hectare for the first year and three year advance payment if the land owner agrees to the price.

Aside from Gutalac, other areas eyed for plantation are Kalawit, Liloy and Tampilisan. Gov. Yebes explained to landowners that the P1,300.00 rental per hectare is just for the first year of operation, but the amount may change during the succeeding years. He urged landowners not to be gain-oriented at the start because it is always normal that a business enterprise will have a wobbly beginning.

As regards its effect on food production, Gov. Yebes assured all sectors that it could never have a negative effect on food production since areas planted to corn, rice and other staple crops are never disturbed. The areas committed to sugar cane production are only those areas not committed to any agriculture production. (Press Freedom, Vol. XIX No. 7)

National Security heightened its alert level due to the alarming attacks of terrorist groups here and abroad. It calls the attention of all authorities concerning National Defense, Transportation and Communication.

Sea ports, air ports, railways and other transportation access are not exempted on this. Let us consider the existence of our Pulauan port in Dapitan City. It serves 24-hour a day. It caters passengers and cargoes boarding to any point of destination in our country from different origins in Mindanao provinces, closely the Zamboanga peninsula region.

Earlier this year, our local port managed to upgrade its systems to counter threats such as: the presence of New People’s Army (NPA) in nearby municipalities; near the belt of MILF hatching ground; violent ABU SAYYAF who claimed to be responsible in last year bomb explosion inside M/V Super Ferry 14; and passage of national and international terrorists (J.I. and Al Quaeda) who silently prefer Mindanao ports as their back door.

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Hon. Roberto Y. Uy
City Mayor

Telephone: (065) 212 2484
Fax: (065) 212 4234
E-mail: cmo@qmile.com.ph, mayor@dipologcity.gov.ph

Hon. Senen O. Angeles
City Vice Mayor
Telephone (065) 212-2498

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