The Belgian government through its private Belgian partners is looking at bolstering investments in the province of Davao Oriental.
There are two Belgian companies currently doing business in the province: Puratos, an established food innovation company, and Turbulent, which specializes in harnessing resilient, cost-efficient hydroelectric energy.
Belgium Ambassador to the Philippines Michel Parys in an interview said Turbulent is looking at putting turbines in the river of Cateel to generate electricity without the need for a big dam.
“I went to Davao Oriental last year because Turbulent company is planning to gift some of the turbines. Last year I met Gov. Dayanghirang in Manila. Yesterday (Thursday) I met Gov. Malanyaon for the same reason, still about the project of Turbulent and I told her Turbulent is looking at Cateel. She is from Cateel and she is very happy with the project, which is putting into the river of small turbines that will generate electricity without the need for a big dam because when you put a big dam you are causing trouble to the environment. The small turbines can be put in the river and will work on producing electricity,” Parys said.
Turbulent develops cost-effective hydropower plants that can be installed in any river, canal, or waterway.
Parys also attended the celebration of Cacao Fiesta, which was organized by Kenemmer Foods International in collaboration with Puratos on October 20, 2022, at Cacao Trace Center in Barangay Don Enrique Lopez, Mati City, Davao Oriental.
“Puratos is a Belgian company that is into buying cacao and sustainable agriculture. Puratos is looking that cacao cultivation is ecological and will go on from generation to generation and is also looking at the farmers will get sufficient income from cacao,” he said.
Puratos focuses on the production of bakery, patisserie, and chocolate ingredients while Kennemer Foods International, Inc., is a Philippine agribusiness company specializing in the growing, sourcing, and trading of high-quality crops such as fermented cacao beans sourced from smallholder farmers.
According to the statement, Kennemer is engaging with approximately 3,000-4,000 cacao farmers throughout Davao Oriental and is committed to assisting them with the company’s long-term sustainable agricultural plans.
It is also said that both companies are committed to operate within a business framework that promotes market transparency, and fair value pricing for produce, boosting farmer productivity and implementing sustainable farming practices to sustain the development of rural communities.
“Cacao beans need to be fermented and processed for the taste to come out. After the fermentation, the cacao beans are exported. When a consumer buys the chocolates they know where it’s coming from,” Parys said.
Parys was also reported making a statement hoping that “Davao Oriental will be the Capital of Sustainable Chocolate.”
A “Cacao Tour” in two cacao farms in Mati City was also conducted that was participated by the executives, clients, and stakeholders, which gave them a glimpse of how cacao plants are grown, harvested and processed.
