Marquez’ Government Business Enterprises
Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez announced his policy of investment recovery. His announcement was made during his monthly press conference held on July 5 at the Guests House, Capitol, Kalibo, Aklan.
According to Governor Marquez, it will be good for the local government to spend and recover the investment. He pointed to the plans, programs, projects and activities of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist to focus its programs to business enterprises so that its expenditures will be recovered with profit.
Marquez cited some business enterprises where the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist such as the planting and production of seaweeds for export. Seaweed is rich in calcium and iron as food. It is also processed abroad such as the processing of seaweed oil which is highly in demand for the manufacture of airplanes and computers.
Marquez also cited the abaca rehabilitation program in Libacao and the planting of it in Madalag this year. Abaca planting expansion program will be made in Banga and Malinao. According to Marquez, abaca has the strongest stencil strength among the fiber plants in the world. It is processed into paper pulp and manufactured into security papers. This paper is used for the printing of paper money.
In the Philippines, abaca fiber is a raw material used in handicrafts manufacturing.
Abaca thrives well in high elevation with cool weather. It grows well in places like Libacao. Abaca is a perennial crop, the first harvest of which is one year after planting. Harvesting is done once a year from the plantation provided proper management is given such as proper weeding and sanitation. The fibers are extracted from the petioles of abaca which when dried now sells at P32.00 per kilogram in Libacao, Aklan. The average annual production of abaca according to Mr. Manuelito V. Delegencia of the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, Kalibo is 750 kilograms per hectare. At P32.00 per kilogram, the farmer will have an average annual income of P24,000 per hectare. There is some 1,750 hectares planted to abaca as of 2005 in Aklan.
Another crop Governor Marquez has selected for planting is mango in Buruanga. Mango loves to grow best in Type A climate – distinct wet and dry and in the open field. Buruanga possesses this soil and climatic conditions favorable to mango production.
Mango is one of the favorite fruits the Filipinos love to eat. Filipino researchers and plant breeders have transformed mango from seasonal to non-seasonal fruit tree. Mango therefore is now available in the fruit-stands any day of the year.
Mango is not only sweet, it is also nutritious. It is rich of vitamins, minerals and fibrous materials good for the body.
Excellent quality fruits sell at an average price of P40.00 in the fruit-stands. Mango traders have developed mango markets abroad. Philippine mangoes is now exported to China, Singapore and Australia and therefore helps generate dollars.
Moreover, mango trees help conserve the soil, improve the environmental condition in the area planted to it and reduce the effect of warming. Mango trees also serve as windbreaks, hence mitigate the damage of strong winds.
The Provincial government will also support farmers in cattle production. "The 10 hectare farm Aklan provincial government owns in Makato will be devoted for the production of corn, the produce of which will be used to feed the cattle," said Marquez.
Marquez lamented the existence of 180,000 Aklanons who are below the poverty line for whom the program is addressed to. This production program of Governor Marquez deserves the cooperation and support of all Aklanons. Everybody must do its share for the success of this program. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment