The Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) solidified their agreement with foreign counterparts through the signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) held in Davao City on March 14, 2022. Aiming for Mindanao to have modernization access to Agricultural and Aqua-Farming Concession that will be functional and benefited the local farmers and market; to yield better quality of products that eventually led to food security, sustainability and economic development that cater the needs of every Filipinos in the country in years to come.
Chief Executive Officer and Administrator of SPDA Abdulghani “Gerry” A. Salapuddin said, “Today’s event is not only a welcome development but is a monumental event, with the life of SPDA of its 43 years of existence. In the past, there was never this kind of opportunity that came into the fold of SPDA”.
In collaboration with Japan, US and Iran companies who wanted to invest in the country particularly in the municipality of Wao and Amai Manabilang in Lanao del Sur, chosen project location due to its ideal and vast land area for agricultural activities which is about 26,000 hectares.
The goal of the project will be put to strong hold especially now that a MOA between SPDA, Tokushima Auction Market (TAM) and Asia Pacific Precision AG Group (ASPAC AG) had already been signed and the approval of Republic Act 11647 otherwise known as the Foreign Investment Act of 1991 as amended and signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on March 02, 2022.
Salapuddin expressed his deep appreciation of the project and added, “Today, in the presence of everyone not only we are giving our firm commitment but we are affirming our solemn pledge that we will do everything in order to accomplish the task that lies ahead. In that way, we are bridging the gap between our governments whether they are having war there in Europe, here, Iran, The United States, Philippines and Japan are working together in order to feed our respective people”.
Japanese companies like the TAM as a private concessioner had already prepared 1.5 billion dollar funds for the concession project led by CEO and President Yoshihisa Arai. TAM promises an ideal marketing strategy and channel which will actually control 60% of the Japanese market and eradicate the system of having a middle man. That means, locally produced products can now be sold at the reasonable price directly to the market or buyer.
Arai said, “As you all know, food security become more and more recognized around the world. We are promoting our business by forecasting on this point. High quality products will buy it by Tokushima. There are people who make high quality products but less produce and distribute products required by vital global market. I’d like to share various benefits and profits. We will continue to communicate much better”.
SPDA has been working closely together with partnered countries who invested in our country. Their big plan was to put up an infrastructure project, a runway for planes of Japan for agricultural produce directly to be imported and routed to Japan and to the country of destination like Iran who will also invest on their high-quality rice to be planted here in Mindanao and later to purchase the post harvested rice back to their country for food sustainability as well.
Concession Lawyer Atty. Manuel Quijano said, “Let’s substitute the word Concession with Cooperation. Cooperation between Japan, America and the Philippines. Cooperation not only for economic development but even for wellness. Cooperation between the public and the private sectors. Cooperation between Mindanao and the rest of the country”.
Atty. Quijano also added, “What our friends will do here will not only be good for the rebel returnees, it will not only be good for the volunteers but even for our indigenous brothers”.
Aside from securing the land area for the project, agricultural materials, equipment, provision of fingerlings, seeds and other fishing and agricultural inputs, technology and practices were also being prepared and funds was also ready by TAM in collaboration with SPDA, all of those were geared towards the realization of the project and to implement a modernized agricultural system and technology in Mindanao that will be projected to benefit the local market, farmers and the rest of the country.
Also, the same day, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between SPDA and Japan Medicinal Association with its aim to integrate Japanese medical technology to the local market. One of their projects is to build a hospital and wellness center in Davao City and to introduce the Japanese traditional technology and medicine to Filipino people especially to Davaoeños.
Arai also added in the later part of the event and said, “Today is the starting point of a magnificent generation” as he sees the realization and long term effect of the project implementation in Mindanao. (PIA XI/Elvira May Suico)
