BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF armm industry cluster capacity enhancement project (aiccep) Seaweed JICA, DTI boost ARMM output surges six industry clusters 500% in Tawi- palm oil, abaca, coffee, the SME clusters. Tawi farms ---- Japan International and industry The ARMM Indus- Cooperation Agency clusters in conflict areas try Clustering Capacity GROWTH yield and (JICA) is working closely namely , Enhancement Project or output of seaweed seed- with the Department of , , AICCEP is an offshoot lings surged as high as Trade and Industry (DTI) , and Tawi Tawi as from an earlier technical 500% in two coastal vil- – Autonomous Region model industries where assistance from JICA, the lages of Karaha and Buan in Muslim Mindanao the region can succeed National Industry Clus- in Panglima Sugala town (ARMM) in strengthen- through investments in ter Capacity Enhance- in the island province of ing six model industry technology transfer. ment Project (NICCEP) Tawi-Tawi, according to clusters composed of mi- Stakeholders of the in 2012 that set up and seaweed cluster chair An- cro, small and medium project recently held a supported 24 SME indus- nabel Sahali. enterprises (MSMEs) to monitoring visit to the try clusters nationwide. Although two meth- boost economic growth coconut and palm oil NICCEP on the other ods were recommended in Mindanao. clusters in Maguindanao hand, was the offshoot of as “good aquaculture SEAWEED SNACK. Tawi-Tawi women show off samples of JICA and DTI identi- to discuss further the in- the successful pioneering practices” in the planting a snack food they processed out of dried seaweeds during fied rubber, seaweeds, dustrialization plans for pilot project DICCEP, or of high quality seaweed a training workshop on seaweed value-adding and food processing. turn to page 6 turn to page 6 ARMM-DTI draws up philippine industry roadmaps COTABATO CITY — in place. An industry roadmap for RBOI-ARMM chairman the growth and develop- Ishak Mastura stressed the ment of ARMM or Autono- importance of crafting their mous Region in Muslim own industry roadmaps Cluster Bulletin Mindanao has been drawn for the region considering VOL. IV NO. 8 FOURTH QUARTER 2016 up by the Board of Invest- the ever-growing and fast ments (BOI) and its region- changing developments in al BOI office in the ARMM, business and industries in gathering various stake- Mindanao. holders and industries from “In an age where there different regions in a recent are no more borders in AICCEP perks up conference here. trade, our industries in The conference sought the region should shape to discuss the economic op- and move up. Though we portunities and potentials are independent from the for local industries and rest of the regions in the sectors in ARMM and how country, it is important to income in ARMM they can take advantage link and align our strate- COTABATO CITY ---- People living in the Autono- The ARMM DTI Secre- cassava and abaca, Tawi- of the many opportunities gies with that from the na- mous Region in Muslim Mindanao are expected to tary told the participants Tawi for seaweeds, Basilan with the ASEAN Economic tional level,” Mastura said. enjoy higher income in the coming years as different in the conference about for rubber, Sulu for coffee Community (AEC) already (NDBC Economic News) industries are seen to grow and expand into bigger ARMM’s project called the and cacao, among others. Industry Cluster Capac- ”Our vision is for our operations resulting into higher production output. ity Enhancement Program industries to be competi- ARMM clusters to adopt DTI ARMM Region- Atty. Anwar Malang ex- (AICCEP), a partnership tive and to improve the al Secretary Atty Anwar pressed his gratitude to BOI with Japan International Co- lives of our people in the ideas learned from Japan Malang cited the current- and the DTI national office operation Agency (JICA). region. I do hope there will ly ongoing project called for introducing the Indus- Anwar said the AICCEP come a time when we will ONE THING that pan. We saw how it worked ARMM Industry Cluster try Road Map Program to aims to boost the capacity no longer need the 4Ps and stands out for industry clus- in Japan. I’m sure it will also Capacity Enhancement the region. of industry stakeholders that we will have freedom ter teams, from the things work here,” Masahaud said Project, a joint undertaking “At least our region, of the region on clustering from hunger by provid- they learned from their DTI provincial director of the ARMM Department though independent of the their various industries and ing better incomes for our two-week training mission Harrison Haron was partic- of Trade and Industry and national, is not neglected at provide industry mapping people through livelihood in Japan last October was ularly impressed by the An- the basic necessity of an tenna Shops in Japan and Japan International Coop- all. Here in ARMM, we can for various industries: Ma- and business programs,” “Agriculture Cooperative” how Japanese farmers and eration (JICA). craft our own industry lo- guindanao for coconut and he said. (NDBC Economic as the key organization for producers are benefiting DTI ARMM Secretary calized roadmaps,” he said. palm oil, Lanao del Sur for News) farmers. from the shops by provid- For most of the 18 clus- ing an outlet for their prod- ter members who joined ucts that are sold directly to that Japan training mission, the consumer. “It’s a good they now realized that they idea that could be adopted have to strengthen the small by our industry clusters ” cooperatives of farmers Haron said. and activate idle coops by turn to page 7 merging them with other active cooperatives in such industries as coconut, sea- weed, coffee, abaca, rubber, palm oil under the ARMM Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project. Industry cluster lead- ers are discussing ways to armm industry cluster capacity strengthen weak, inactive enhancement project cooperatives through train- a project of ing programs and plan ways to federate these big and small groups of coop- eratives at the provincial level, according to Depart- japan international ment of Trade and Industry cooperation agency provincial director Nazrul- ARMM DTI-ARMM Regional Secretary Atty. Anwar A. Malang and ASec. Dr. Abubacar M. Datumanong visited Dari K chocolate company lah Masahud who works in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan with its President and CEO Mr. Keiichi Yoshino during their study trip in Japan on October 17-28, 2017. closely with the seaweed The company proposes a “ Style” cacao production in Mindanao Visit to Saraya Co. Ltd.(standing from l-r: Koji cluster team in Tawi-Tawi. DEPARTMENT OF Dimezu, Sakiko Yushinami, Sec. Atty. Anwar Malang, Keiichi Yoshino, staff of Dari K, Asec. Abubacar Datumanong, Tetsuo “We’re adopting those TRADE & INDUSTRY PHILIPPINES Inooka) ideas we learned from Ja-  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN FOURTH QUARTER 2016 PROJECTS High quality seaweeds coming out of Tawi-Tawi

HIGHER output and danao State University. and distributing them to better quality seaweeds are Coastal towns being the sea farmers thru their expected to come out of sev- monitored by the seaweed cooperatives. eral seaweed farms in coast- cluster include “It’s often risky going al areas of Tawi Tawi island with 34, 196 hectares of around in motor boats be- as well-trained sea farmers seaweed farm areas, Sibu- cause of the big waves, the began using their newly-ac- tu with 5,562 hectares and weather and security con- quired skills learned from Panglima Sugala with 8049 ditions in the island, but the various seminars and hectares. More volumes (in we went anyway to keep trainings conducted by the metric tons) are expected to in touch with the seaweed seaweed industry cluster come out of Sitangkai which farmers we trained in this under the ARMM Industry produced 5611mt two years project,” says provincial TAWI-TAWI SEAWEED farmer pulls up a long line of floating seaweeds off the coast of the Cluster Capacity Enhance- ago, followed by director Nazrullah Masa- island province, showing off robust growth after months of waiting. Growth rate of quality ment Project (AICCEP). with 2560mt and Panglima hud of the Department of seedlings planted the previous months, show growth hitting 400 to 500% performance. “We’re confident the Sugala with 1918mt. Trade and Industry which seaweed farmers we trained Over the past few coordinates with other gov- during our seminars, lec- months, the seaweed clus- ernment agencies helping tures and workshops have ter team had been moving under the AICCEP, a joint Abaca exports up 33% began using their new skills around these coastal areas project of the DTI and Ja- in the planting, growing , around the province on mo- pan International Coopera- harvesting and drying of tor boats in the high seas, tion Agency (JICA). (Phil- as output rises 3.6% seaweeds,” says Dr Jumelita monitoring the seaweed press News) Romero, project team leader nurseries planted with high LEGASPI CITY --- were most pronounced Helping keep an and scientist from the Min- quality seaweed seedlings - Production of abaca in the regions of West- overall increase in out- Agreement continued to grow in ern Visayas and Socsk- put was a 3-percent the nine months from sargen but lower out- rise in Davao region More Sulu farmers boosts January to September puts were also seen in (7.8 million kilos) and 2016, increasing by 3.6 Autonomous Region a 4-percent rise in East- join coffee cluster more cacao percent to 46.1 million in Muslim Mindanao ern Visayas (6.7 million JOLO, SULU --- for high quality coffee kilos, according to the (ARMM) and Caraga. kilos). More and more farmers, beans by multinational output in Philippine Fiber Indus- Production from Exports of abaca- landowners, growers, food companies based try Development Au- Western Visayas based products revved and cooperatives from in Manila seeking more Mindanao thority (FIDA). jumped 77 percent to up by 33 percent year- supply from local cof- all over this island prov- The Bicol Region 1.6 million kilos and on-year in January to fee farmers and growers DAVAO CITY – Ca- ince are approaching remained the country’s Soccsksargen by 50 the Sulu-based coffee in- thru their cooperatives. cao production is expect- August to $77.5 mil- dustry cluster team and Coffee industry clus- ed to keep rising in the top producer with 38 percent to 1.4 million lion, FIDA data show. expressing their deep ter members, accord- coming years as govern- percent of total output kilos. On the other These include pulp, interest to join the coffee ing to Ahalul, had been ment and private stake- or 17.6 million kilos. hand, output in ARMM cordage, fabrics, fiber- industry cluster. helping coffee farm- holders finalized and Fiber production from fell by 17 percent to craft and raw fiber. For “Our continuing ers and growers the last signed a Memorandum Bicol saw a 7.9-percent 3.6 million kilos and fiber alone, the value of few months as big and of Agreement recently projects and activities in year-on-year increase Caraga by 9 percent to outbound shipments the coffee cluster team small landowners, coop- for a program aimed to from 16.3 million kilos 4.2 million kilos. FIDA are attracting more and eratives and federation boost the cacao industry increased by 18 per- more people here in Sulu groups had been visiting which has set a target in the same period of blamed the decline on cent to $13.6 million. to join us in the cluster the headquarters of the output of 200,000 metric 2015. the long drought in the — (Ronnel Domingo to produce more coffee coffee cluster, seeking tons by the year 2020. Growth in volume area early last year. /PD INQUIRER). here,” says coffee cluster help from team members The program, an ini- chairman Abdusali Ah- to start coffee farming in tiative of MinDA, will alul. Sulu. “We set up train- cover the whole value Expanding the mem- ing for their farmers, we chain from production Swamp turns into tilapia bership in the coffee in- teach them the proper to processing and mar- dustry cluster has been way to plant and grow keting. To jump-start the part of the long term coffee and we supply project, MinDA is initial- fishpond in Maguindanao plans of the cluster since them quality seedlings,” ly spending a P1 billion the team was organized says Ahalul. in 2016 to, among other MASTURA, Maguin- P21,000 after supplying versity of Southern Min- two years ago. Growing Department of Trade things, provide farmers danao—Residents of a for- 21,000 fingerlings to one danao in Kabacan, North mer guerrilla base outside cultivator, and has a current interest in coffee farming and Industry provincial with seedlings for inter- Cotabato. this city turned an unpro- order for another 10,000 fin- is being triggered by the director Harrison Haron cropping with coconut Supply is not available ductive grass-filled swamp gerlings from the Bureau of all the time, and especially growing market demand turn to page 6 turn to page 6 into a profitable fish pond, Fisheries and Aquatic Re- when we need them. So we currently supplying finger- sources in Central Mindan- decided to cultivate our own lings to other towns in Min- ao. Tilapia cultivators here fingerlings,” Phari said. danao. sell each fingerling at P1. Many barangays in Sul- Beneficiaries of tilapia- Phari said his group tan Mastura are known bai- production ponds in Sul- sold 387 kg of adult tilapia liwicks of the Moro Islamic tan Mastura town in Ma- at P141.20 per kg in April. Liberation Front (MILF), guindanao are also being Each of the 15 member- which entered into peace tapped to train other start- families took home an addi- negotiation with the gov- ing groups in freshwater tional income of P1,000. ernment in 1997. fish-pond production in the Before the project took While the MILF signed region. off in 2013, local residents a peace settlement with the Adan Phari, president here used to an average government, its combat- of the Lake Tumingay Unit- of P2,500, but many have ants and families continue ed Aqua Farmers Associa- to make do with a much to live below the poverty tion of Tapayan; smaller amount from gath- line. Conflict-ridden prov- and Tinga A. Panansaran, ering and fishing inces in the Autonomous president of the Tereken tilapia at the swamp. Region in Muslim Mind- Aquaculture Producer Co- The tilapia-produc- anao (ARMM) are some of operative in Barangay Tam- tion initiative involving the poorest provinces in the bo in Sultan Mastura, said 20 member-families was country. their members not only earn piloted in Panansaran’s ba- Jamaludin Sampulna, a from selling adult tilapia rangay Tambo. Prior to the Bangsamoro Development COCONUT FARMERS at the Datu Odin Sinsuat Nursery pose beside new coconut seedlings but also from fingerlings. rollout of the project, the Agency (BDA) volunteer for being prepared by the coconut industry cluster in Maguindanao province to boost the growth Panansaran, for in- two groups usually bought and development of the industry in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. stance, was recently paid fingerlings from the Uni- turn to page 7 FOURTH QUARTER 2016 PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN  SPOTLIGHTS Mindanao climate best for coffee MINDANAO farmers Mt. Kitanglad in Bukidnon, Juan. premium Grade A special- are being encouraged to all known for their cooler According to Juan, ty coffee which command plant more coffee because climate. the long dry spell that hit a higher price.” A multi- the climate in the region is Arabica, which is suited Cavite and Benguet is likely national company is pres- best for coffee production for planting in high altitude to pull down the country’s ently buying coffee at high which has been declining places, can be planted at coffee output this year. prices while graded coffee the past several months. the top of these mountains. She said the Philippines can command much higher Pacita Juan, chair of the Both robusta and arabica would be lucky if it would prices” she said. Philippine Coffee Board, can be planted anytime of be able to produce the same The PCIB chair said Inc. (PCBI), said the robusta the year. “That is why the amount last year which is at there used to be some 40,000 coffee variety can be plant- PCBI has been encourag- the range of 25,000 metric hectares of land planted to ed at the foothills of Mt. ing farmers in Mindanao, tons. coffee in the country. But in Apo in Davao, Mt. Matu- including the ARMM, to Juan said PCBI is also recent years, the area plant- tum in South Cotabato and plant more coffee,” said pushing the production of ed to coffee in Cavite dwin- turn to page 7

Zamboanga QUALITY COFFEE. Dr. Jodl Isahac shows to the coffee cluster members how good quality coffee beans is processed, region has pointing out the difference between ripe (red) coffee beans and unripe beans and how it affects the price of coffee in the wholesale market. To get higher prices for coffee, Isahac highest urged farmers to “pick red” only. rubber Abaca industry gets output PAGADIAN CITY P5 billion gov’t budget – Rubber trees produce a QUEZON CITY -- - Ag- world and there are only milky white sap known as riculture Secretary Manny three countries producing latex and modern process- Piñol vowed to boost pro- it: Philippines, Ecuador, ing of the latex sap pro- duction support of the and Costa Rica. We really COFFEE FARMERS in Jolo, Sulu, are joining the industry cluster in increasing numbers as duced has been generating country’s abaca industry have to exploit these new the growth of the industry gathers more momentum in the ARMM region. Photo shows Sulu income for local rubber by allocating P5 billion (B) opportunities, as far as aba- farmers availing themselves of quality coffee seedlings provided by the cluster team. farmers and traders in Zam- budget for the next five ca is concerned,” Sec. Piñol boanga Peninsula. years. said. This region in western During a recent aba- The abaca program is a Mindanao have the highest ca farmers forum held in five-year program with an More growth ahead seen by production of natural rub- southern Leyte, Piñol said expected budget of P4B for ber in the country, produc- an initial funding of P100 planting materials, fertil- ARMM coconut industry ing 171,126 tons in 2010 and million had been down- izers, modern technology, loaded to Sogod town stripping machines, and for trees, “ says Panganda. to set up two dwarf coco- 188,934 tons 2011. With this COTABATO CITY --- through its Mayor Imelda the improvement of the in- - More growth is seen in Dwarf variety coco- nurseries in the towns flourishing rubber indus- U. Tan. dustry, Pinol said. the coming months for the nut seedlings, on the other of Sultan Kudarat and Datu try, a major challenge is to Pinol revealed his plan coconut industry in the Au- hand, will be planted and Odin Sinsuat. This time, make sure that the quality Piñol initially commit- tonomous Region in Mus- grown in various farm ar- 250 dwarf variety seed nuts of rubber and rubber prod- to expand abaca plantation ted P100 million (M) ex- lim Mindanao as coconut eas to produce the type of will be added to each of ucts comply with industry in the region and disclosed plaining that the amount seeds from the six coconut coconuts needed to produce the four previously estab- regulations and market re- that he already informed had to be used by the end of nurseries that were estab- a variety of value-adding lished nurseries while 2,250 quirements. President Rodrigo Duterte the year, because it is part of lished last year are expect- products for farmers’ wives dwarf variety seeds will be Philippine Rubber In- that he will spearhead the DA’s P2 billion budget left ed to germinate and ready and children for livelihood bought for each of the two dustry Association (PRIA) revival of abaca industry over from 2015 that needs for distribution to coconut programs, according to new nurseries, according to has identified the need for in Leyte province. Inci- to be spent by the end of farmers. Panganda. Panganda. a rubber testing facility in dentally, the president was 2016 or else it will be re- Coconut seedlings, to- “We’re going to conduct Priority for the sale of the country to examine and born in the town of Maasin, verted back to the national taling around 7,565 tall va- a series of livelihood train- the coconut seedlings from Southern Leyte. treasury. riety seed nuts and 4,675 ing seminar workshops for the nurseries will go to test the quality of raw rub- Piñol said about 90,000 Pinol said that out of the dwarf variety seed nuts them soon teaching them member farmers belong- ber using modern testing were planted late last year how to prepare and pro- ing to the coconut industry equipment. hectares of abaca planta- P100M, P50M will be used by the ARMM coconut in- duce various products from cluster group before being To address this chal- tion has been targeted not for the immediate purchase dustry cluster team in four coconuts like buko , co- offered to farmers who are lenge, the Department of only in Southern Leyte, but of planting materials cov- coconut nursery sites at conut syrup, not members of the cluster. Science and Technology throughout the country. ering about 1,500 hectares. Barira, Sultan Mastura, SK and coconut bar candies,” “After all the nut seedlings (DOST) provided funds to “There is a great de- (PD Inquirer) Pendatun and Upi, accord- says Panganda. are sold, we’ll use the sales the region’s rubber indus- mand for abaca all over the ing to coconut cluster chair Anticipating an ex- proceeds to buy more nuts try through its so-called tension of the project, the to continue and sustain our Tanggote Panganda. Grants-in-Aid program to “Coconut farmers can coconut cluster team has nursery projects,” Pangan- set up a laboratory testing Tawi-Tawi women turn now use the tall variety submitted to consultants of da said. (Philpress News) seedlings to replace their Japan International Coop- facility that will analyze the seaweeds into snacks old and senile tall coconut eration Agency a proposal quality of natural rubber crumbs. Quality of natu- TAWI-TAWI ----House- and resource person Evan- ral rubber grown and pro- wives and daughters of sea- geline Villarin who helped duced in this country is still weed farmers as well as oth- organize and strengthen very low compared to rub- er women in the two coastal the women’s organizations ber produced by neighbor- villages of Panglima Sugala in the two areas together ing Asian countries. and Tongsibalo, Sibutu, in with Evelyn Martinez from Today, the rubber test- this island province, are BFAR and project team lead- ing laboratory located at turning seaweeds into high- er and barangay chairman the DOST in Zamboanga ly sellable snack foods like Abdulmajid Julaid. City has the capability to pickles, chips, crackers, flan, These are food products test seven parameters: Dirt jelly roll, squash candy and that can be processed from content, Nitrogen con- other products. carrageenan powder which Two seminar workshops tent, Ash, Volatile Matter, comes from dried seaweeds for the women were held on that go thru a manufacturing Plasticity Retention Index, two separate occasions in the process. This seaweed-based Mooney Viscosity and Col- two areas in September and carrageenan powder is then or. late October last year gather- mixed with other food in- The new DOST rubber ing a total of 104 participants gredients to produce snack AICCEP Industry Cluster Team head by its Cluster Head, DTI-ARMM Assistant Regional testing facility is equipped to train on “Good Manufac- foods and other products. Secretary Dr. Abubacar M. Datumanong and Mr. Tetsuo Inooka of Unico International Corp. with major equipment turing Practices and Sanitary “This is a big help to the visited the processing area of Saraya Co. Ltd. In Higashisumiyoshi, Osaka, Japan. The namely, Plastimeter, Standard Procedures” . families of seaweed farm- company manufactures environment friendly products, such as antibacterial liquid soap and Mooney Viscometer, Kjel- The seminars were con- plant-based dish detergent. (standing from l-r: Kaori Mori, Tetsuo Inooka, Magno Gonzales, turn to page 7 ducted by a culinary expert turn to page 7 Dr. Abubacar Datumanong, Kamarudin Omar, Mautante Marohombsar, PD Nonito Manuel)  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN FOURTH QUARTER 2016 ACTIVITIES Sulu launches promo campaign for coffeee INTENSIVE promo- marketing plans to push boring towns next to Jolo tions and marketing cam- for more sales of the quality had to be included as part paigns launched by the cof- Sulu coffee produced by of the areas to be included fee industry cluster in Sulu two farmers’ cooperatives. in the cluster team’s pro- province these past months, “Where else can we motional activities. These are pushing the sales of talk seriously about the towns include Parang, In- “Kahawa Sug” quality cof- coffee business, except in danan, Talipao and Patikul fee higher, thus boosting a coffee shop? This place as well as the island towns the incomes of coffee farm- is becoming more popular of Siasi and Pangutaran. ers and producers in the because of the coffee” says “We need to include as province. provincial director Har- turn to page 7 In a local coffee shop rison Haron of the ARMM in downtown Jolo where Department of Trade and Sulu farmers PRODUCT PACKAGING. Coffee packaging materials like label designs, stickers and coffeee the “Kahawa Sug” coffee Industry. bags were turned over to members of the KanKitap Consumer Coop and Sulu Coffee Marketing Coop by the coffee industry cluster team recently to begin marketing their local coffee brand is served, members of the Haron discussed and learning to Kahawa Sug in coffee shops, grocery stores and trade fairs. Also provided were packaging coffee industry cluster sat agreed with the coffee clus- machines like sealers and weighing scales for coffee growers to do their own packaging. recently for a meeting to ter during the coffee shop grow coffee at discuss promotions and meeting that other neigh- demo center JOLO, SULU --- Sur- More import-exports to JICA, LandBank sign ¥5-B rounded by over a thou- for relending in Mindanao sand coffee seedlings, small boost ARMM economy nipa-bamboo hut serving as COTABATO CITY -- ister Shinzo Abe wit- a “learning center” for Sulu CITY -- ations set up by the Bureau aging big and small busi- - Land Bank of the Phil- nessed the signing of farmers who want to plant, - More and more imports of Customs at the Bajau ness traders to legalize all grow and produce good Hall, ORG Compound in ippines and the Japanese the loan agreement in and exports are expected their importing transactions quality coffee has been to boost the economy of this city. “ to erase the rampant mis- government signed re- Malacañang during the drawing scores of farmers the Autonomous Region in The forum, organized conceptions of illegal smug- cently a ¥4.93-billion loan state visit of the Japanese at Bangkal village, Patikul Muslim Mindanao as the by the ARMM Department gling especially for prod- agreement to finance premiere. The guarantee region moves to revive bar- of Trade and Industry (DTI) ucts coming in from nearby a five-year project that letter for the deal was town here in Sulu since late ter trading with neighbor- along with the Regional Malaysia and Indonesia”. aims to jumpstart agri- also signed by Finance last year. ing east Asian countries of Economic Zone Author- Fernando de Dios, DTI business investments in Secretary Carlos Domin- For all these Sulu farm- Malaysia and Indonesia. ity (REZA) and Polloc Free senior trade and industry the Autonomous Region guez III. ers eager to learn to plant Various government Port, was aimed at re-ori- development specialist said in Muslim Mindanao “The HARVEST proj- and grow coffee, it looks agencies, along with Cham- enting ARMM traders on barter trading played a big (ARMM) and other con- ect will help create a good much easier for them to the business of import and part in the economic growth ber of Commerce officials flict-affected areas in the investment environment understand the on-the-spot attended a whole day fo- export. of the ARMM. “ This is why south. in the ARMM and other lectures by a coffee farming rum on import-export oper- ARMM DTI is encour- DTI is looking seriously to Department of Fi- conflict-affected areas in expert from the Sulu Provin- revive the industry”, De cial Agriculture Office since Dios said. nance (DOF) said the soft Southern Philippines to the learning process takes Marawi seminar forum The DTI trade specialist loan valued at P1.76 bil- help perk up the econ- said the agency is working lion was signed by Land- omy and raise incomes place right beside a “coffee perks up abaca industry on reviving the”real barter Bank President CEO Alex in these communities,” demonstration farm” set up trading”as it is, and not just Buenaventura and Japan Dominguez said. by the ARMM coffee indus- MARAWI, LANAO and were so eager to attend the one-way system that it try cluster team. DEL SUR ---- Nearly a hun- our seminar forum on ab- International Coopera- The loan deal was is today. “The barter that A report from the cof- dred participants, stake- tion Agency (JICA) Chief among the agreements aca, we couldn’t resist but we’re talking about today fee cluster to consultants holders and farmers turned allow them to participate,” Representative-Philip- signed between Manila is no longer the barter that of Japan International Co- up during the First Lanao pines, Susumu Ito. and Tokyo during Prime says Mautante Marohomb- we knew early on in histo- del Sur Abaca Industry The money will used Minister Abe’s two-day operation Agency revealed sar, abaca cluster coordina- ry when Sulu was still the Cluster Stakeholders Forum that despite the military op- tor of the ARMM Depart- barter trading center in the to fund the Harnessing state visit to the Philip- held here at the Noramis erations launched against a ment of Trade and Industry country,” he adds. ( PIA) Agribusiness Opportu- pines. Abe is first head Function Hall at Mapandi provincial office here in nities through Robust of government to of- bandit group here, the clus- district here in Marawi City Marawi City. and Vibrant Entrepre- ficially visit the Philip- ter team headed by Depart- recently. Marohombsar gave a ARMM port neurship Supportive of pines under the Duterte ment of Trade and Industry Participants came detailed overview of the ab- Peaceful Transformation administration. provincial director Harrison from different neighboring aca industry cluster under now ready (HARVEST) Project. The ¥4.93 billion loan Haron and coffee cluster towns, most especially ab- the ARMM Industry Clus- President Rodrigo from JICA matures in 25 chairman Abdusali Ahalul aca-producing areas, which ter Capacity Enhancement for global Duterte and Prime Min- drew around 60 farmers as Project (AICCEP) a joint turn to page 6 turn to page 7 well as scores of official rep- project of the DTI and Japan trade resentatives from various International Cooperation COTABATO CITY --- government agencies and Agency (JICA). This was - Free Polloc Port and the local government units. followed by a long discus- ARMM Regional Economic “We were targeting only sion on the Abaca Industry Zone Authority are all set 40 participants based on our Situation and Sustainable and ready for global exports proposal, but so many came Production by Alex Jadu- and imports 2as the Bureau even without any invitation turn to page 7 of Customs cleared the way for the quicker process- ing of shipping documents with industry stakeholders and various government agencies. Polloc Port had earlier been limiting its operations only to imports of cement, corn, and equipment for renewable energy, coming from such countries as Viet- nam, Singapore, South Ko- rea, and India. ARMM-REZA as- ABACA SEEDLINGS in this farm nursery in Lanao del Sur sured importers and ex- are growing robust and healthy to be ready for planting in porters that it is ready for OIL PALM farmers and industry cluster officers show off a healthy oil palm tree to Japanese the months ahead, as more and more Lanao farmers are both imports and exports consultants headed by Koji Demizu of the JICA Cotabato office under the Comprehensive expressing keen interest to start farming abaca full time in Capacity Development Project which is supporting the growth and development of the palm turn to page 7 various farm villages in the province. oil industry in the ARMM. FOURTH QUARTER 2016 PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN  SIDELIGHTS ARMM to resume border trade with Malaysia DAVAO CITY— Cross The ARMM delegation sures have been improv- border trade between the was part of the Philippine ing, and “authorities are Autonomous Region in contingent with ARMM Re- convinced that a holistic Muslim Mindanao and Ma- gional Board of Investments approach is necessary. ”A laysia is expected to resume Chairman Ishak V.Mastura way to solve this problem anytime soon as official heading the delegation dur- was to provide livelihood delegations from the Phil- ing the Jakarta meeting. opportunities “to dissuade ippines and Malaysia final- The Mindanao Devel- the youth from engaging in ize their plans for trade and opment Authority (Min piracy as a way out of pov- commerce between traders DA) said Malaysia sus- erty.” of both countries. pended last year the cross- “Most of our cross-bor- ARMM sent late last border trade between Sabah der trade is with Sabah, but year a delegation to a meet- and ARMM’s southwestern the ARMM is committed to ing of top officials of the island provinces “due to se- promote cross-border trade MARKET MISSION. A visit to a Korean rubber manufacturer CTK Asia Rubber in Zamboanga Brunei-Indonesia-Malay- curity problems in the Sulu not just with Sabah but City gave the ARMM rubber industry cluster a good idea of the high market demand for raw sia-Philippines East Asean Sea, where piracy and kid- with all BIMP-EAGA coun- rubber and its high quality requirements. Photo shows the rubber industry cluster members Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) nap-for- ransom groups are tries, particularly Indonesia posing with the general manager and staff of the manufacturing firm. in Jakarta to pitch for the widespread.” and Brunei,” Mastura said. resumption of cross-border But MinDA today be- (Manuel Cayon / Business trade with Malaysia. lieved that security mea- Mirror) Rubber firm seeking Well trained Coffee cluster now sea farmers sharing Japan ideas high quality rubber to boost ZAMBOANGA CITY look for more raw rubber tance of producing and de- JOLO, SULU --- Some team under the ARMM In- --- Anticipating higher de- supply in Mindanao so we livering only high quality ARMM good ideas and experiences dustry Cluster Capacity En- mand for rubber products can produce more rubber, rubber to manufacturing from the recent training vis- hancement Project or AIC- this year, a Korean rubber especially high quality rub- plants using raw rubber as it to Japan were shared and CEP. company based here for ber material, “ says General material for producing rub- seaweeds “re-echoed” recently to fel- AICCEP is the joint several years has expressed Manager Ban Hwan Choi ber products. low coffee cluster members project of the Department interest to buy more raw of CTK Rubber Asia at the Participants of the TAWI-TAWI --- Well- here by the team members of Trade and Industry and rubber from various rubber Ecozone processing area in benchmarking mission in trained sea farmers who who successfully made the Japan International Cooper- plantations and farms in Zamboanga City. late September last year underwent series of train- trip. ation Agency, supported by Mindanao, especially from Meeting with five were rubber growers, ing workshops in farming Florencia Castorico, an government agencies like areas with established plan- members of the ARMM rubber traders, coopera- methods, techniques and officer of the Department of the Department of Agricul- tations like Basilan, North rubber cluster team at the tive members, and rubber post-harvesting of seaweeds Agriculture and provincial ture, Department of Science Cotabato and Zamboanga CTK headquarter office, cluster members from the from top experts these past director Harrison Haron of and Technology and local Sibugay provinces. Ban Hwan Choi said it was Department of Trade and months are expected to the Department of Trade government units. “Worldwide demand important for raw rubber Industry and local govern- for rubber products is mak- growers and producers to boost the output and qual- and Industry cited espe- ment units in Basilan prov- turn to page 7 ing it imperative for us to keep in mind the impor- ity of seaweeds in this part cially adopting the concept ince. For the rubber cluster of the country. of “Antenna Shops” in the team members, it was - “This seaweed indus- province of Sulu as well as cally a “market mission” to try here is in good hands the Autonomous Region of find out what a big rubber and on its way to higher Muslim Mindanao to pro- buyer like CTK Rubber Asia growth. I’m very confident mote and market specific is looking for in raw rubber the output and quality of products like Sulu coffee. to buy it for their manufac- the seaweeds here will be “It’s really one inter- turing plant. “Like all other much better,” says Dr Ju- esting learning experience rubber manufacturers, CTK melita Romero, project seeing how these antenna is also very strict when it team leader. shops operate in Japan. It’s comes to quality rubber, Romero is a seaweed worth replicating here by because they will only buy scientist from the Mind- our coffee cluster,” says if you offer them high qual- Haron, one of the 18 cluster ity raw rubber” one cluster anao State University who officers and members who member said. conducted lectures and took the two-week training CTK Rubber Asia also training workshops togeth- program in Japan in Octo- expressed its eagerness to er with Evelyn Martinez ber last year. help rubber growers, farm- of the Bureau of Fisheries Haron said the concept ers and rubber plantations and Aquatic Resources late of an “Antenna Shop” in in improving the quality last year covering topics Sulu province can be a good of rubber from the grow- “Seaweed Farming and way to promote and market ing and harvesting stages to Farm Management” and the quality coffee produced the processing stage. “That visit to CTK was very useful “Post Harvest Manage- by the coffee farmers in the JICA CONSULTANTS conducted an on-site inspection of the oil palm nursery project of the and productive for us in the ment of Seaweeds” under province who are fully sup- AICCEP palm oil industry cluster on a village site in Maguindanao, led by JICA senior adviser cluster team” the cluster ported by the coffee cluster Tetsuo Inooka (fifth from left) and Asst. Secretary Dr. Abubacar Datumanong (second from turn to page 6 right), along with cluster officers. member said. (Philpress News) AICCEP PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICES

ARMM PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE Lanao del Sur Satellite Project Management Office Sulu Provincial Office Satellite Project Director : Mohammed Aquil A. Mamainte 7400 Jolo, Sulu DTI Asst. Trade Secretary Abubacar M. Datumanong ARMM Department of Trade and Industry Cellphone: 0915 8059221 ARMM Department of Trade and Industry 3F, RLM Bldg., Amai Pakpak Avenue Email add : [email protected] ORG Complex, Cotabato City, Maguindanao Barrio Green, Marawi City Telephone : (064) 421 – 3442 Cellphone: 0917 707 8636 Fax Nos. : (064) 421 – 7729 Tawi-tawi Satellite Project Management Office Email add : [email protected] Satellite Project Director : Nazrullah Masahud Basilan Satellite Project Management Office ARMM Department of Trade and Industry Satellite Project Director : Nonito Manuel , Tawi-T-awi Maguindanao Satellite Project Management Office ARMM Department of Trade and Industry Cellphone: 0998 551 0932 Satellite Project Director: Datu Khalikuzaman Baraguir Valderosa Street, Isabela City, Basilan Email address: [email protected] ARMM Department of Trade and Industry Cellphone: 0875 2205738 Door 1-2 Alonto-Biruar Bldg. Email add : [email protected] Mabini St., Cotabato City SENIOR ADVISER: Telephone: (064) 421 7775 ARMM DTI Secretary Atty. Anwar Malang Email add : [email protected] Sulu Satellite Project Management Office Satellite Project Director : Harrison Haron ARMM Department of Trade and Industry  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN FOURTH QUARTER 2016 feature jica okays 26 development project for Mindanao peace & growth

O T A B A T O oro area but also in other Regardless CITY --- A to- Mindanao regions. “ Ctal of 26 anchor Officers of the BDA of the outcome projects had been drawn and the JICA study team up by Japan Internation- presented the final draft of the peace pro- al Cooperation Agency proposal to local and in- cess, JICA vowed (JICA) and Bangsamoro ternational stakeholders Development Agency during a recent seminar strong support (BDA) for peace and in Manila. development in Mind- Regardless of the and committ- anao. outcome of the peace The BDA develop- process, JICA vowed ment towards ment plan is among the strong support and components of JICA’s committment towards achieving peace Comprehensive Ca- achieving peace and de- pacity Development velopment in the Mind- and development Project (CCDP) for the anao region, according Bangsamoro and will be to JICA Chief Repre- EVERYONE in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are expected to benefit from the in the Mindanao used as guide for future sentative Noriaki Niwa. various anchor projects of Japan International Cooperation Agency under the development plan of the Bangsamoro Development Agency, assuring peace and development in Mindanao. undertakings not just in (PNA) region. Photo shows ARMM women participating in a food processing training workshop conducted ” the proposed Bangsam- by one of the six ARMM industry clusters. Seaweed output... farm areas, closely fol- Well trained... JICA-DTI boost... and collaboration among tering approach, added lowing the recommen- different players in the JICA, could then provide seedlings, only the “float- dations made by Dr. Fi- the ARMM Industry Clus- Davao Industry Cluster value chain (produc- opportunities for ARMM ing line” method worked lemon Romero, project ter Capacity Enhancement Capacity Enhancement ers, processors, research to access technical sup- best in Karaha and Buan team leader and consul- Project. Project that started in institutes, buyers) to port, and marketing instead of the “sub- tant of the World Wildlife Many of the sea farm- Davao City in 2008. strengthen their indus- channels so their MSMEs ers were veteran seaweed “The industry clus- merged “ method which Fund (WWF). try’s competitive advan- could grow. growers in Tawi-Tawi, ac- tering project in ARMM tage,” added Tanaka. is adopted in other areas, Seaweed areas where AICCEP, which be- cording to Romero, who is our way of developing ARMM depends gan in 2014 and is cur- according to Sahali. the “submerged” me- were familiar with how to the region’s value chain, heavily on the primary rently ongoing, is also “It’s amazing to see thod failed to grow plant seaweeds, how to take enhance MSME com- sectors such as agricul- part of JICA’s Compre- the seaweed seedlings healthier, robust sea- showing triple to qua- care of them, how to harvest petitiveness, and create ture, fisheries, and forest- hensive Capacity Devel- weeds, were blamed on them and how to dry them. quality jobs and sustain- ry, employing 66% of the opment Project (CCDP) druple growth in our the “low salinity” of the project areas in Sibutu “They could even point out able economic returns. region’s work force. Only for the Autonomous Re- sea water with seaweed the malpractices and the This way, the people of 13% of ARMM economy and Panglima Sugala,” gional Government that farms lying near the best practices of drying and ARMM will also be able is engaged in secondary aims to support Mind- Sahali said. mouths of river banks, storing the seaweeds which to realize the dividends sector or business enter- anao’s peace building Data gathered in the according to Romero. made it easier for us to train of peace and improve prises and 6.7% in manu- process and sustainable, village of Tongsibalo in Monitoring and eval- them in farm management,” their lives,” says JICA Se- facturing, according to inclusive development. the coastal town of Sibu- uation of seaweed seed- Romero said. nior Representative Yuko the JICA study. (JICA News) tu, the seaweed farms run lings are still continuing To test the salinity and Tanaka. The industry clus- by the farmers of Sheuk in selected farm areas temperature of the water The ARMM indus- Makhdum and Tandu- of Tawi-Tawi where the in the seaweed farm site, tries selected were also philippine cluster bulletin banak villages, showed high quality seaweed the sea farmers were also identified under JICA growth rates of 354% to species were distributed trained on how to use in- Development Study on The Philippine Cluster Bulletin is the monthly publication of the 471% of their seaweeds struments as the “Refrac- Local Industry Promo- ARMM Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (AICCEP) a to seaweed farmers par- joint project of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and that had grown from ticipating in the projects tometer” and “Thermom- tion in ARMM in consul- the Department of Trade and Industry of the Autonomous Region of seedlings provided by of the ARMM seaweed eter” as part of the training tation with government, Muslim Mindanao. (DTI-ARMM). the seaweed industry industry cluster team program for the sea farm- academe, and stakehold- ers. “We want to make sure AURELIO A.PENA cluster team. under the ARMM In- ers in Mindanao way Editor in Chief Both the “floating dustry Cluster Capac- they can monitor their own back in 2010 to 2012. seaweed farms as salinity “The value of indus- YUMI BALSE long line” and the “sub- ity Enhancement Project. and temperature can affect try clustering, based on KAORI MORI merged line” methods (Philpress News) PRISCO CASIBANG, JR. were used in Tongsibalo the quality of the seaweeds the success of DICCEP Associates growing in their area,” in Davao and NICCEP, MARY MINA F. REMIS Romero said. is the increased linkages Production and Circulation Manager JICA, Landbank... According to the Specific problems in ARMM CORRESPONDENTS DOF, loans under the the seaweed farm sites like years, including a seven- “slow water movement”, HARVEST project will be Harrison Haron Sulu year grace period and “low salinity”, “high wa- More Sulu... made available to large Filemon Romero Tawi-tawi carries an interest rate ter temperature or extreme Domeng Narsico Basilan cited the chairman of a Khalikuzaman Baraguir Maguindanao of 1.4 percent, the DOF agribusiness enterprises, sunlight” were given sug- farmers’ organizations big farmer’s federation Mautante Marohombsar Lanao del Sur said. gested solutions and prac- group who presented ------or cooperatives, micro, ADVISERS JICA also plans to tical tips on what to do, proposals on “how he small and medium enter- during the training. The provide a technical assis- could encourage other ABUBACAR DATUMANONG prises (MSMEs) as well training workshops were tance grant of $6 million farmers to go into cof- DTI-ARMM Assistant Regional Secretary as “corporatives” or cor- conducted to cooperative Department of Trade and Industry or P290 million to sup- fee farming after he pur- ORG Complex, Cotabato City, Maguindanao seaweed farmers in the vil- port the capacity build- poration-managed farms chased about one thou- lages of Tongsibalo, Sibutu, TETSUO INOOKA ing of HARVEST benefi- supported by the Land- sand seedlings from the Bank. Sheik Makhdum and Tan- JICA Senior Consultant ciaries and LandBank’s dubanak. cluster team and started ------Projects that source JICA PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM project management. The most successful planting the coffee seed- or obtain products or TETSUO INOOKA, chief adviser for industrial development HARVEST will be im- seaweed farmers, accord- lings”. goods from the ARMM YUMI BALSE, project coordinator plemented by the Land- ing to Romero, are the ones “We’re expecting Bank from 2017 to 2022. and other covered areas “with skills and diligence more and more farm- It aims to open a lending as part of a value chain who regularly visit their ers and cooperatives to are also qualified to bor- DISCLAIMER window for agribusiness farm areas to look at how come to us in the com- Editorial responsibility for every issue of the Philippine Cluster Bulletin lies row from the HARVEST their seaweeds are grow- ing days as we finalize solely on the Editor in Chief. Although every effort is made in validating and ventures and related in- proofreading this issue under the time pressure of press deadline, we still our plan to expand our vestments in the ARMM facility. — (Ted Cordero/, ing and check each plant if anticipate some avoidable but unintentional errors, omissions and factual GMA News) there are any disease and membership in the cof- oversights. Being the sole responsibility of the chief editor, it is understood that and other conflict-affect- NO member of the AICCEP project teams from either DTI or JICA is liable for making sure the seaweeds fee cluster,” Haron said. ed areas in Mindanao. any errors, omissions and oversights in every issue of the Philippine Cluster are healthy.” (Philpress (Philpress News) Bulletin. News) FOURTH QUARTER 2016 PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN  monitor

Zamboanga... Mindanao... Sulu launches... concept in the province, as ARMM port... Coffee clusters... plans are being drawn up to dahl Block Digestion and dled from 14,000 hectares after it entered into a Joint many places as possible in Under the “Antenna” push for a region-wide pro- Distillation System, Fur- to only 5,000 hectares. Memorandum Order with the province because people concept, coffee farmers will motion and marketing of nace, Laboratory Mill, Ag- Philippine market demand the Bureau of Customs last everywhere always look for have their own outlet and Sulu coffee. “We’re getting ing Chamber, Analytical sell directly to market buy- for coffee stands at 120,000 October 2015, on the imple- good coffee,” Haron said. good support from local Balance, Ultrasonic Bath, ers thru their cooperatives and provincial officials in metric tons annually, ac- mentation of the “manda- Coffee cluster chairman and Hydraulic Press. or associations, develop promoting Sulu coffee. This cording to Juan. tory electronic processing Abdusali Ahalul said it was In a move to boost the their own brands, improve will be good for our coffee More coffee produc- of transshipments of REZA agreed during the meeting rubber industry in Zambo- the quality of coffee thru farmers,” Ahalul said. tion is needed to meet the locators to REZA Zones and that the Sulu coffee indus- research and development anga, DOST extended an Haron cited the im- current market demand, other procedures through try cluster will also par- and set up regular trade portance of sustaining the P8.3M assistance to Philip- according to the PCIB chair. the E2M system”. ticipate in all local, regional fairs and exhibitions, ac- high quality of Sulu coffee pine Pioneer Rubber Prod- “We like to see more exotic E2M (electronic-to-mo- and national trade fairs as cording to Haron. to keep the trust and con- uct Corp. (PPRPC) in Naga varieties of coffee produced bile) is an internet-based part of the overall promo- Coffee cluster chair- fidence of consumers and town in Zamboanga Sibu- by coffee farmers. The ro- technology that allows tional campaign for the man Abdusali Ahalul said “coffee lovers” who have gay province through its Customs Officers and busta variety is produced Sulu coffee brand “ Kahawa the industry cluster is now tasted the unique blend of “Small Enterprise Technol- traders to handle most of working closely with the in Tagaytay while arabica Sug”. “We’re using posters, Sulu coffee beans compared ogy Upgrading Program” their transactions online. local and provincial gov- to other coffee. (Philpress is produced in Benguet. streamers, brochures, bill- (SETUP) ----which provides It makes use of advanced ernment to adopt and ap- News) Batangas on the other hand, boards as well as regular ra- funding, training and tech- technology including elec- ply this “antenna shop” produces the strong variety dio interviews in our sales nology upgrade to micro, tronic signatures to provide called Liberica or Barako.“ promotions ,” Ahalul said. small and medium enter- government officials with ( Manila Bullletin) The business of coffee Marawi seminar... given attention with spe- prises . (DOST News) new tools to enable them cific suggestions for them to make dramatic improve- shops has become more cana, chief of operations of and more popular in Sulu, the Philippine Fiber Indus- on what to do next, where ments in security, trade effi- to get assistance, to make Sulu farmers... ciency, and to fight against Basilan, Zamboanga as well try Authority in Region IX ARMM clusters... as many towns and cities based in Pagadian City. sure they would be able to kept visiting the demo farm corruption. plant abaca with our help“ in Mindanao, according to Jaducana gave the par- RECALLING their site to monitor its construc- One of those that will Marohombsar said. Ahalul, as the coffee cluster ticipants a good idea how overall objective in the tion and preparation work benefit from this innovation A ceremony marking is the Bangsamoro Oil and stepped up their promo- big the abaca industry is “fishbone analysis” of the to be able to receive farmers the formal turn-over of 10 Fuels Corporation, which is tional campaign to go along today, where these planta- seaweed industry dur- and visitors. sets of rope-making devic- waiting for its import per- with this growing trend. tions are located all over ing the early days of the es to several beneficiaries “Many farmers are ex- mit as it looks forward to In one big trade fair in the country, how big their ARMM Industry Cluster was held shortly after the cited to learn the proper building a four million peso Zamboanga called “ZAM- production output, and the Capacity Enhancement seminar forum. These de- methods of coffee farming, oil depot in Polloc under PEX-Plus”, samples of Sulu growth of abaca production Project (AICCEP), the vices were given to those that was why it was im- a joint-venture agreement coffee “Kahawa Sug” were and exports that supply a seaweed industry cluster who finished their skills portant for us to hasten the with a Malaysian company. displayed in the ARMM- huge demand in the world based in Tawi-Tawi may markets. Presently, the Phil- training program on rope/ completion of this demo ( PIA) Sulu booth along with be nearer their goal “to ippines is the number one twine making, scrunch and farm site,” Haron said. brochures explaining the produce the world’s best exporter of abaca to the abaca bag making some- Growing support from origins of the exotic coffee seaweeds”. Tawi Tawi world market. time ago as part of the live- local residents in the vil- from Sulu. Hundreds of lihood program for abaca “As we look back to ers whose wives can now The big growing de- lage, as well as barangay products from Zamboanga farmers’ wives and children all the projects and ac- earn additional income for mand for abaca fiber was and town officials includ- peninsula, General Santos, in Lanao del Sur. tivities we’ve conducted the family by making these also explained in detail by ing various government Davao, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi- Marohombsar said he is and implemented here snack food products that are Engr Daniel Baluran, ag- Tawi, Bohol, Cebu, etc took recommending to JICA that for all our seaweed farm- agencies , has given hope sold easily in the market,” ricultural engineer of the part in the week-long trade similar activities like this ers and their coopera- to the coffee cluster that this Martinez said. New Tech Pulp Inc, the fair which drew thousands should be held in Lanao del tives since last year, we’re demo farm project could be Besides snack food sole Mindanao pulp com- of visitors, including buy- Sur to fast track the growth confident it’s possible to sustained and replicated in products, seaweeds are also pany and marketing outlet ers. of the abaca industry in the produce the world’s best other towns of the island used to make commercial fo- of all abaca growers, farm- Reviewing the sales province. “This should be seaweeds,” says cluster province. liar fertilizer which is in big ers and traders in Lanao of “Kahawa Sug” by Sulu replicated in every abaca chair Annnabel Sahali With the thousand Ro- demand by many organic del Sur. “We’re buying all Coffee Marketing Coopera- growing town here to show Various programs busta coffee seedlings grow- farms in the country. This abaca production here in tive, records showed that them the advantages and that were lined up to ing at the demo farm site by-product from seaweeds Lanao del Sur. While we’re the coop racked up sales of getting a good supply of benefits of growing abaca achieve this objective the last seven months, more is currently being pro- duced by seaweed farmers’ P127,000 and P132,000 for quality abaca from several in commercial quantity were: institutiional de- Sulu farmers are learning to cooperatives in Davao del the months of August and other abaca farms in Min- and quality for export to velopment, sustainable grow coffee, intercropped Sur, Samal Island, Cagayan September, compared to the danao and the Visayas, I the global market,” he said. financing scheme, high with fruit trees, coconuts de Oro and Zamboanga del combined sales of P80,000 have high hopes that Lanao (Philpress News) quality production, and bananas, using the Sur. ( Philpress News) three to six months ago, can produce high quality product diversification, new farming methods from according to coffee cluster abaca fiber in bigger quan- investment promotion coffee farm experts which spokesman Salem Tayong. tity in the months ahead,” Swamp turns... and establishing a sea- include provincial agricul- ARMM clusters... (Philpress News) Baluran told the seminar fisheries, said the BDA has a weed research and train- turists and veteran coffee participants. lot of capacity building and ing center in Tawi-Tawi. Faced by environ- growers from the ARMM ment issues, the palm oil Several questions, is- values re-education train- Sahali said their “pri- “self-reliance” and “strong coffee industry cluster team. industry cluster found the sues and concerns were ings to conduct to change ority action project” dur- unity” in times of crisis that (Philpress News ) program on “product di- raised by a number of par- the mindsets of residents in ing Phase 2 included the helped propelled Japan versification and market ticipants during the open these areas. into what it is today—one production of good qual- strategy” relevant to their forum, some of them in- In 2012 the Japan In- Agreement... of the world’s biggest eco- ity seaweed seedlings, projects in the Autonomus cluded how they can avail ternational Cooperation nomic power--- which was training on good agro- and the development of Region of Muslim Mind- of funding to be able to buy Agency (JICA) linked up something to emulate in the nomics and post-harvest new cacao farm areas in anao, specially in Maguin- planting materials or abaca with the BDA to seek out ARMM whose economic practices, benchmarking the southern island. The danao province where their seedlings that are ready projects worth cultivating growth will soon be pro- and monitoring of sea- budget will also cover palm oil nursery projects for planting at their farms. for residents in conflict-af- pelled by the various indus- weed seedlings turned support services, train- are gaining official recog- Directed at officials and -re fected areas in central Min- tries in the entire region. over to sea farmers which ing, monitoring, track- nition and lots of attention source speakers from the danao. (Manuel Cayon / (Philpress News) is currently being done ing, and other overhead from farmers, landowners DTI, FIDA and New Tech BUSINESS MIRROR) by the cluster team. costs. and coopetatives attracted “they were immediately Department of Trade Undersecretary Janet by the economic benefits of and Industry provincial M. Lopoz, MinDA ex- the palm oil business. director Nazrullah Ma- ecutive director, said suc- “It has already been sahud said the good co- ceeding budgets will de- proven that the palm oil ordination between gov- pend on the implemen- industry can be made sus- ernment agencies under tation of the first phase tainable even amidst all the AICCEP helped the of the program. She said these environment issues seaweed industry cluster the program focuses on by coming out with envi- achieved most of its ob- Mindanao, which has the ron- friendly policies that jectives, citing the vari- biggest cacao yield in the can co-exist with nature,” ous assistance of Bureau country at 4,900 MT in says industry senior spe- of Fisheries and Aquatic 2014, representing 90% cialist Fernando de Dios of DTI-ARMM regional office Resources, Department of the national total at who works closely with the of Science and Technol- 5,428 MT, based on data palm oil industry cluster as ogy, Department of Agri- from the Philippine Sta- COFFEE CLUSTER team holds meeting in a coffee shop in downtown Jolo, discussing ways one of its members. to promote their local coffee brand “Kahawa Sug” produced by two farmers’ coops in the culture, Mindanao State tistics Authority. (MMDA De Dio cited the News) island province. Trade fairs participation and expanding areas of promotion campaign were strong Japanese value of agreed. 8 PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN