Jun Ledesma
Domingo Ang, the President of PhilExport, Davao Chapter, showed on his Facebook page fresh cargoes of durian that are to be exported to China by a group of farmers. In a separate note he informed me that about 6,000 fishermen will start receiving support from Chinese traders who are keen on importing carrageenan from Davao. An experiment seaweed farm in the ambient seawater in Davao Gulf showed the marine environment is perfect place where to start what could be another sunrise industry for Davao. The pioneering farm produced excellent planting materials to start the new venture. As you see not all seaweeds are equal. He explained that the fisherfolks are being organized into cooperatives so that they can avail of cheap loans from Land Bank of the Philippines with assistance from PhilExport Davao.
Doming who owns Marinatuna chain of restaurants in Davao had also reactivated handline fishing of tuna and expanded his fleet of fishing boats which are equipped with essential facilities to keep their catch fresh while staying at sea for a number of days. Since then he had been exporting fresh tuna fish and tuna sashimi to China since last year.
The trade ties between Davao and China had grown exponential with direct flights between destinations which takes only 3 hours and 50 minutes. Durian and fish get to the China markets fresh and based on experience are quickly gobbled up by wholesalers and retailers. In a trade expo in Shanghai recently, Davao durian displays vanished quickly from the stalls and the demands could hardly be met. This prompted the Department of Agriculture to encourage durian growers to expand by at least 4,000 additional hectarage for durian plantations.
Among the top exports of the Philippines to China is Cavandish bananas which are also largely grown in Davao and shipped from Davao’s containers port.
Doming Ang is confident the fisherfolks who had made a living from the rich marine resources of Davao Gulf will be among the biggest beneficiaries of the healthy trading relationship between China and Davao. He says, “It’s time to conserve the 36000 hectares davao gulf for food security and sustainable livelihood for the fisherfolk”.
Doming has proven there is wealth in the rich biodiversity of Davao Gulf. He had raised groupers in fish cages and now carrageenan.
Indeed there are limitless potentials that are left untapped and unexplored even in the municipal waters of the country. We are so stupidly focussed and are rattling for war over an atoll which China had occupied when some wise guys during the Aquino administration ordered the pull out of our coastguard vessels. Elsewhere in the many islands in the Spratlys we lost our claims to other neighboring Asean countries but we want to make war with China at the prodding of America. So nit-witted our leaders have become that while we exchange barbs with Chinese coastguards the US and China are actually working out normalization of strained relationship and go back to business talks.
Come to think of it, while the Malacanang tenant goes around the world begging for investors and war materials Davao farmers and fishermen are doing and demonstrating what should be done to make our country a better place to live in and not a target of guided missiles.
What is obtaining in Congress is equally tragic. They have connived to place behind bars Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, suspended and then moved to cancel the franchise of Sonshine Media Network, Inc. which had been in the forefront of the Armed Forces of the Philippines war against the CPP/NPA terrorists.
These are not the legislative and executive output we deserve. (Jun Ledesma)