BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF armm industry cluster capacity enhancement project (aiccep) Coco coir nat’l cluster ARMM clusters visit tapping big Ph markets Davao cacao farms MAKATI CITY --- Po- Makati, the NIC Coco Coir DAVAO CITY --- In- covered in small plas- tential big markets for coco Planning Workshop 2015- 2016 gathered some 20 par- dustry clusters from the tic bags to protect them coir products like geonets are now being targeted by ticipants from the Depart- Autonomous Region of from insects. the National Industry Clus- ment of Trade and Indus- Muslim Mindanao winded Malagos farm techni- ter for Coco Coir or “NIC try’s bureaus and regional up their monitoring meet- cians also showed them Coco Coir”, an industry offices to discuss the Road ings in this southern city how cacao is harvested cluster group focusing only Map for the national coco by visiting the well-estab- and processed, how the on this fiber by-product coir industry, set up coco lished cacao plantation of raw beans are ferment- from coconut husk. coir industry clusters in re- Malagos Garden Resort be- ed, how they are dried Coco coir is a fiber from gions with no cluster teams longing to the Puentespina using solar drying on a dried coconut husk after it yet, and finalize budgets for family. covered wooden drying is crushed and processed the release of funds. Set up and arranged by platform and how the in a decorticating machine NIC coordinator for the Davao regional office beans are classified auto- which produces the coco coco coir Marcelina Alcan- tara said the workshop was of the Department of Trade matically before they are coir as well as coco peat, a material used in making part of the process to pre- and Industry, the visit packed into jute sacks. feeds and organic fertilizer. pare the Coco Coir Road PLANTING CACAO, ARMM DTI Trade Secretary Sakiran covered the sprawling ca- “Our cluster teams In a workshop held in Map which was expected to Hajan watches keenly as a farm worker shows members cao plantation area where were inspired and moti- of industry cluster teams from ARMM provinces, how to December last year here in ARMM cluster teams were turn to page 6 prepare a cacao seedling for planting at Malagos cacao turn to page 6 farm in Davao. shown how cacao pods are NICCEP clusters to keep sending reports philippine MAKATI --- Industry Cluster Bulletin. cluster teams nationwide “We expect them to are still being invited to continue sending in copies submit copies of their re- of their reports to the Clus- ports to the National Clus- ter Bulletin to let everyone ter Bulletin newspaper for know their clusters are still publication, despite the actively continuing their Cluster Bulletin termination of the NICCEP activities,” Inooka said. VOL. IV NO. 1 may-june 2015 PHILIPPINES or the National Industry Makati-based CB assis- Cluster Capacity Enhance- tant editor Maylene Aqui- ment Project last March. no said she has relayed this Senior consultant Tet- message to all the industry suo Inooka of Japan In- clusters nationwide under ARMM-DTI official sees ternational Cooperation the NICCEP to continue Agency said the activities sending copies of their and projects of all the in- cluster reports to the Clus- bright future for industries dustry clusters under the ter Bulletin ( via email di- NICCEP will still be spot- COTABATO CITY --- More robust industries Project, a joint undertak- they’re doing, I can see a rect to> aureliopena2013@ lighted on the pages of the gmail.com) turning out bigger outputs and better quality prod- ing between ARMM-DTI bright future for us at the turn to page 7 ucts in the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mind- and Japan International ARMM,” Hajan said. anao are expected to attract billions of pesos in di- Cooperation Agency. The ARMM Trade rect investments in the region, according to ARMM “That’s why I like to Secretary said the com- ARMM-DTI sets up offices Trade Secretary Sakiran Hajan. accompany the indus- ing of a new Bangsam- to manage industry clusters try clusters and involve oro government, trailed In a table talk with the future of the ARMM myself personally in by millions of dollars in COTABATO CITY -- In a meeting held in the National Cluster Bul- especially with the on- their visits to places like commitments from for- - A “Project Management Davao recently, ARMM- letin editor recently in going AICCEP or the Davao and see how they eign countries like the Office” or PMO has been DTI Assistant Secretary Davao, Hajan said he is ARMM Industry Cluster are doing and benefiting US, Canada, Australia, set up here at the regional Abubacar Datumanong “very positive” about Capacity Enhancement from these activities,” Japan, Korea, etc to ex- office of the Department explained the organization says Hajan who recently pand their assistance and of Trade and Industry to of the PMO with the five joined the ARMM indus- bring in more foreign oversee the operations of provincial DTI directors of Palawan palm oil farm the six pilot industry clus- the five provinces, naming try clusters and DTI pro- investments---have like- ters in Maguindanao, La- them managers of the five vincial directors to the wise made the future of impresses cluster team nao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu “satellite project manage- Malagos cacao plantation the Muslim region even and Tawi-tawi. ment offices” or SPMO. PUERTO PRINCESA most especially our palm in Calinan, Davao City. brighter than ever. --- Nine members of the oil cluster members,” Da- The six pilot industry “As head of the SPMO “I’m always hands- “I’ve always kept my clusters are the coconut in your province, you will palm oil industry cluster tumanong said. on when it comes to do- faith and confidence on team led by two high rank- The assistant trade sec- industry, palm oil indus- oversee and help plan and ing things at the DTI, the capabilities of our try in Maguindanao, abaca control the projects and ac- ing ARMM officials of the retary was accompanied this way I know what’s people in the region and Department of Trade and by DTI provincial director industry in Lanao del Sur, tivities of the pilot industry going on and try to solve the economic potentials Industry winded up their Khalikuzaman Baraguir rubber industry in Basilan, cluster in your area,” Datu- problems on the spot. of all the provinces in benchmarking trip to the who helped coordinate the coffee industry in Sulu and manong told the DTI pro- Seeing all that passion the ARMM” Hajan said. palm oil operations of trip with the palm oil clus- the seaweed industry in in my people on what turn to page 6 Agumil Plantations Inc in ter officers, most of who are (Philpress News ) Tawi-tawi. Maasin, Brookes’s Point, palm oil growers in Magu- Palawan last May 26-31, indanao. with lasting impressions The ARMM visiting that are expected to benefit group was met by Agu- the cluster. mil plant manager Engr. ARMM Assistant Trade Verulo Sabio who took Secretary Abubacar Datu- them around the sprawling armm industry cluster capacity manong said the Palawan palm oil plantation, show- enhancement project benchmarking trip was a ing them an actual harvest good learning experience operation, the nursery, a a project of for the palm oil industry model farm and the com- cluster team who picked pany’s processing facilities. up many “best practices” Baraguir said the plant from Agumil, whose palm manager showed them oil operations in Palawan is some of their best practic- japan international considered the best among es in palm oil production, cooperation agency its other operations in the explaining in detail how ARMM southern Philippines. to handle the seedlings at “It was a very good the nursery, the kinds of trip, we all learned a lot tools to use, how to harvest PALAWAN BENCHMARKING. Members of the ARMM palm oil industry cluster took a breather DEPARTMENT OF posing with the operator of a crawler truck used in hauling harvested oil palm fruit bunches to TRADE & INDUSTRY from the benchmarking, PHILIPPINES turn to page 6 the oil mill at Agumil Plantation in Maasin, Brooke’s Point, Palawan.  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN MAY - JUNE 2015 PROJECTS Abaca cluster eyeing handicrafts project MARAWI CITY -- and that is to grow, harvest earnings from abaca besides - Most abaca growers in and process abaca fiber to supplying fiber to traders -- Lanao del Sur province be sold to local traders who - this will make them plant are still unaware that so supply the needs of export- more abaca in their farm ar- many kinds of handicraft ers and manufacturers. eas,” Alug said. products can be made from “They don’t do anything This city of Marawi is abaca fiber generating big else except grow abaca to being eyed as an alternative earnings for them, accord- supply traders,” Alug said. venue for the upcoming ing to abaca cluster chair- The abaca industry training on abaca weaving man Pundato Alug. cluster team is targeting the due to the absence of pow- “That’s why it was im- towns of Ganassi and Pua- er in Ganassi and Pualas portant for us to include las in Lanao del Sur prov- towns. skills training on abaca ince as pilot areas where Accredited trainers handicraft weaving to teach they can start this training from the Zamboanga Sibu- people in our communities program for farmers and gay province has been to make various kinds of local folks to learn weav- recommended by officials ASST. TRADE SECRETARY Abubacar Datumanong (second from left) stresses a point during abaca handicraft products ing abaca fiber into differ- from the Fiber Industry a recent meeting with ARMM DTI provincial directors in Davao as the group began organizing in demand by local and for- ent kinds of attractive abaca Development Authority or satellite project management offices (SPMO) in each province. eign tourists,” Alug said. handicraft products. FIDA, as the abaca cluster Abaca farmers in the “When they are trained finalized the details of this DAR-ARMM gives lands province, according to to diversify to handicraft- project last month. -(Phil- CB editor Alug, know only one thing, making, this will boost their press News) and tractors to farmers planning a COTABATO CITY -- the distribution activities More than PHP20 million were done under the Agrar- book on BSMED to put out manual worth of common service ian Reform Community facilities and equipment Connectivity and Economic industry on industry clustering were distributed recently Support Services (ARC- to agrarian reform farmer CESS).. clusters MAKATI --- A manual necessary for his office to industry clusters, their suc- beneficiaries in the Auton- The Comprehensive on the “management and compile all the valuable cesses and failures, lessons DAVAO CITY --- Al- omous Region in Muslim Agrarian Reform Law was though nothing is definite operation of cluster team” experiences of the industry learned, etc. Mindanao. signed into law by the late has been prepared and clusters, upscale their learn- The industry clus- yet, the chief editor of the This was part of the President Corazon Aquino National Cluster Bulletin produced by the Bureau of ings and showcase their ex- ter manual, according to ARMM – Department of on 10 June 1988. Small Medium Enterprise periences for use in devel- Clavesillas, tried to capture is thinking about writing Agrarian Reform’s 27th an- The ARMM has dis- a book on model industry Development division of oping the growth of indus- the significance and results niversary of the Compre- tributed under its land the Department of Trade tries by using the industry of the NICCEP project un- clusters—how they work, hensive Agrarian Reform tenure system a total of how they succeeded, why and Industry, according to cluster approach. der the topics of “Good Program (CARP). 263,563 hectares of farm- a document received by the To come up with the Practices”, “Areas for Im- some fail, etc--- which could Amihilda Sangcopan, lands to 68,087 agrarian re- be used as a reference book National Cluster Bulletin. manual, the BSMED re- provement”, “Emerging DAR-ARMM regional sec- form farmers , contributing “There’s really a need cently commissioned a pro- Patterns and Trends” and by members of industry retary, said the anniversary roughly 6 percent of the na- cluster teams. for a manual for industry fessional documentation “Models and Approaches”. celebration was even more tionwide accomplishment clusters to guide them on writer who gathered and New, emerging indus- “It’s going to be a very meaningful to the farmer of 4.45 million hectares land simple book, very easy to managing and operating an compiled various industry try clusters being developed beneficiaries as they were distributed. industry cluster team effec- clustering experiences from by the DTI all over the coun- read without the usual jar- give their own farmlands The region, Sangcopan gons, very informative and tively,” says Jerry Clavesil- selected cluster teams in try are expected to benefit as they received certificates added, has 112,290 hectares las, assistant director of Luzon, Visayas and Mind- from the new manual guide inspiring for cluster teams” of land ownership awards more to dispose which is says chief editor Aurelio DTI-BSMED. anao, identifying and docu- when finally published in (CLOAs). expected to benefit at least Clavesillas said it was menting lessons learned by Pena who recently sounded turn to page 6 Held at the Shariff Ka- 37,430 more beneficiaries in off the idea to some Japa- bunsuan Cultural Complex, turn to page 7 nese industry consultants to get their interest to help in the publication. Seaweed fertilizing a Pena started working as CB editor for Davao In- big problem for cluster dustry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project some- TAWI-TAWI --- One they have lower carra- time in 2008 when the proj- of the biggest worries of geenan content--- which is ect was first started here in the seaweed industry clus- what manufacturers and Davao by the DTI regional ter team here are seaweed exporters are looking for. office and JICA as a pilot farmers in the island that Fact is, they’ll pay higher project for eight selected in- use fertilizer to “fatten” prices for seaweeds with dustries. their seaweeds to make high carageenan content,” them “heavier” to traders Romero said. This exposure to the who pay higher prices for original DICCEP pilot proj- such seaweeds. turn to page 7 turn to page 7 This is one big concern of the seaweed cluster of the Autonomous Region of Nat’l cacao official urges Muslim Mindanao which is focusing right now on ARMM to plant cacao ways to save the reputa- COTABATO CITY -- nator stressed that cacao tion of Tawi-tawi seaweeds - National coordinator trees can be intercropped industry for its quality and for cacao industry cluster with coconuts to boost the highest output in the Phil- Engr. Edwin Banquerigo income of coconut farmers ippines. urged the various industry in Maguindanao. “We can’t let this prac- clusters of the Autonomous “Production of ca- tice continue among some Region of Muslim Mind- cao in Maguindanao will seaweed farmers here in anao to start planting cacao definitely boosts the cacao Tawi-tawi, this practice and take advantage of the production of Mindanao, has got to stop to save unlimited market demand especially with Davao as this industry,” says cluster and the growing global the country’s leading ca- co-chairman Dr. Filemon markets. cao producer,” Banquerigo Romero who works closely Addressing a confer- told the ARMM industry with team leader Dr. Ju- ence room at the Davao DTI cluster group coming from melita Romero to address regional office filled with Tawi-tawi, Jolo, Basilan, industry cluster members Maguindanao and Lanao this problem among sea- from the ARMM led by del Sur representing dif- CACAO FARM VISIT. ARMM Trade Secretary Sakiran Hajan joins the industry cluster teams at weed farmers in the island. Assistant Trade Secretary ferent pilot industries un- Malagos farm (upper left photo), ARMM cluster teams get good farming tips from a successful “The problem with cacao farmer of a cooperative (upper right photo); farm supervisor explains benefits of Abubacar Datumanong, der the ARMM Industry these robust, fatter and the national cacao coordi- covering cacao pods with plastic bags at Malagos cacao farm (above photo). heavier seaweeds is that turn to page 7 MAY - JUNE 2015 PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN  SPOTLIGHTS JICA to continue Cluster Philippine Bulletin for NICCEP, AICCEP Festival DAVAO CITY --- The port on all the activities, are doing. It could be very publication of the bi- meetings, workshops and inspiring and motivating to be held monthly National Cluster projects of all industry for the clusters,” says Pena, Bulletin newspaper for in- clusters, first in Davao un- who was formerly the in Tokyo’s dustry clusters, will con- der the DICCEP and later Davao bureau chief of the tinue even after the end nationwide from Luzon, Philippine News Agency of the NICCEP project, ac- Visayas to Mindanao, un- and foreign correspondent big park cording to senior consul- der the NICCEP. of the Hong Kong-based tant Tetsuo Inooka of Japan Designed, produced Asiaweek magazine. TOKYO -- A typical International Cooperation and edited by chief editor The Cluster Bulletin is colorful Philippine “barrio Agency. Aurelio Pena, it was con- circulated to all DTI pro- fiesta” , the fifth of its kind “Yes, we should contin- ceived as a public infor- vincial offices, DTI Makati since the Filipino commu- ue publishing the Cluster mation medium to inform, and other national govern- nity in Japan started this Bulletin even after the NIC- educate and draw all the ment agencies, JICA , for- event nine years ago, is now CEP,” Inooka said when industry clusters together eign chambers and selected being planned here again asked about the status of as one big team working to Japanese companies oper- by organizers led by Jen- the publication after the achieve one common goal ating in the Philippines. avilla Shigemizu, chairman termination of the National for the country: Philippine Inooka said the next of the Philippine Festival Industry Cluster Capacity industry development. edition of the Cluster Bul- Organizing Committee. ARMM TRADE FAIR. Holding a trade fair during the month Enhancement Project. “Whenever we put letin after the NICCEP These “barrio fiesta” of Ramadan has become a tradition as Moslems all over the The Cluster Bulletin out an issue, all I wanted to will be published by the events were so successful, world observed this Holy Month of Ramadan. Led by DTI- which started in 2008 was do is to let every industry ARMM Industry Cluster that last year’s festival held ARMM, the event has been attracting thousands of visitors conceived, designed and cluster all over the country at Ueno Park drew over and traders from neighboring areas. produced to cover and re- know what other clusters turn to page 7 150,000 visitors. This year’s festival will be held at Yoyo- gi Park on September 19 and ARMM holds trade fair 20, according to Shigemizu. Visayas sets up strategy for “We’re calling it “Phil- during Ramadan month ippine Festival 2015” .The event will showcase the COTABATO CITY -- tin, the event attracted ex- tourism support industries best of Philippine culture, The Department of Trade hibitors and visitors from arts, music, products, ser- and Industry organized re- ARMM and neighboring CEBU CITY --- An in- shop for the National In- cessed Food to Wearables vices. We’re sure it will also cently a month-long Rama- areas. Among the activities dustry cluster strategy that dustry Cluster for Tourism and Homestyle and even- promote the “Visit the Phil- will support the country’s Support Industries held in tually set up an industry ippines 2015” tourism cam- dan Fair as part of the ob- lined up for the month-long tourism industry has been mid-September last year, it strategy for Tourism Sup- paign,” says Shigemizu. servance of the Holy Month Ramadan Fair was the Qur- proposed here late last was noted that most tour- port Industries : Wearables, The festival chairman of Ramadan. an reading competition year and expected to be do- ists and visitors always Homestyle and Processed said the theme of this year’s The Ramadan Fair is headed by the Bureau of ing several activities since look for a lot of processed Food sectors. festival is, “ Visit the Philip- considered the most popu- Madaris that aims at com- May this year, according foods,( fruits, nuts, meat, Caberte said the DTI pines – Fiesta Masaya, Iko!” lar annual multi-product municating messages writ- to a project proposal sub- jams, purees, baked prod- wants to see these sectors and will be open to the pub- consumer exhibition in the ten in the Holy Qur’an. mitted by Asteria Caberte, ucts, etc). supporting the tourism lic for free and will feature region. Each of the line agencies regional director of the De- This proposal was later industry, “to be more ef- a parade of Filipino tradi- Dr. Susan Anayatin, also sponsored free Iftar partment of Trade and In- changed by the workshop ficient in their operations tional dances. DTI-ARMM chief of tech- (fast-breaking) offering to “We’ll have musical dustry in Region 7 here. participants to include Pro- nical exhibitors and visi- the selected mosque in the Various sectors and turn to page 7 numbers by Filipino well- know actors and actresses, tors, said this year, 40 food region. Bureau of Madaresh industries supplying prod- exhibitors and 20 non- also sponsored Islamic sym- ucts to tourists and visi- childrens’ games as well ARMM products shine at food exhibitors showcased posia throughout the Holy tors like the Fashion Ac- as several booths showcas- ARMM’s best goods and Month of Ramadan where cessories (FA), Furniture Int’l Food Exhibit in Manila ing booths highlighting and Furnishing (F&F), and Filipino culture, tour des- services from five provinces various ARMM govern- Gifts Decors and House- COTABATO CITY 700 exporters from different tinations, products, native that include Maguindanao, ment agencies conducted wares (GDH) were decided — Various products from countries that shared the foods, handicrafts—the best Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu Islamic gatherings. by industry cluster groups the Autonomous Region limelight during the event. of what we have to show and Tawi-Tawi. With this year’s theme during a planning work- of Muslim Mindanao According to Dr. Susa- to Japanese people,” Shi- During the Holy Month “100 Days of Journey in shop to be named collec- (ARMM) caught the eyes of na Anayatin, chief of tech- gemizu said. of Ramadan, Muslims all Understanding the Culture This Japan event on tively as “Support to Tour- investors and business peo- nical management services over the world are required and History of Bangsamoro September is now being cir- ism Industries: Wearables ple after they were show- of the Department of Trade to fast during the day. Towards Peace and Devel- and Industry in ARMM, the culated to regional directors and Homestyle”. cased during the 2015 In- This year’s observance opment”, the tribal villages ternational Food Exhibition region’s entry in the IFEX of the Department of Trade This came about as in- inside the 32-hectare com- (IFEX) held recently at the was a big step for both the and Industry nationwide started last June 17. DTI- dustry clusters nationwide with a memo from DTI ARMM was the Ramadan pound of ARMM in Cota- were preparing various SMX Convention Center in products and the region. Anayatin said business- Undersecretary Zenaida Fair’s lead agency of other bato City formed part of the activities to continue with Manila. The Royal Coffee and men and importers were line agencies of the region. Ramadan festival--. (PNA) their projects after the end Coco Sugar both from Sulu, amazed at ARMM prod- turn to page 7 -According to Anaya- of the National Industry Mt. Kalatungan banana, ucts because most of what Cluster Capacity Enhance- pineapple from Maguin- they hear in the region was ment Project (NICCEP), danao and Lanao del Sur, violence and kidnapping. the joint project of DTI and and the “Hot moro, Hot After the exhibit, investors Investment meetings in Japan International Coop- chili” of Tawi-Tawi were vowed to get in touch with eration Agency. among the ARMM prod- In a planning work- ucts that attracted almost turn to page 7 Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-tawi COTABATO CITY – In- volving private stakehold- investment projects include vestors and business lead- ers and government plan- : net value added, job gen- ers in the provinces of Sulu, ners in the planning of the eration, multiplier effect Basilan, Tawi-tawi and region’s economic develop- and measured capacity of Lanao del Sur are looking ment. the project. forward to a series of public The 2014 IPP is a tool In the 2014 ARMM IPP consultations on investment for industrial development, list of preferred industries, planning to promote the economic growth and con- identified are: agriculture; growth and development sists of specific economic agribusiness; aquaculture of various industries. activities that are based on fishery; basic industries; These investment meet- industry studies, plans and consumer manufactures; ings with officials of the -Re roadmaps. infrastructure and services; gional Board of Investments This is part of the industrial service facilities; will also review the 2014 ARMM Development Plan engineering industries; lo- ARMM Investment Priori- as drawn up in the 2011- gistics; BIMP-EAGA (Bru- ties Plan (IPP). The RBOI- 2016 Philippine Develop- nei Darussalam-Indonesia- ARMM) led the recent ment Plan. All the prior- Malaysia-Philippines East consultations with inves- ity economic activities and Association of Southeast tors, businessmen, national projects identified in the Asian Nations Growth agencies and stakeholders overall plan are the basis Area) trade and investment here in Cotabato City. for the incentives granted enterprises; tourism; health; WARM WELCOME. A warm welcome met members of the ARMM palm oil industry cluster Ishak Mastura, chair- to qualified investors in the education; services and fa- team upon arrival at the office of Agumil Plantations Inc. at Maasin, Brooke’s Point, Palawan man of RBOI, said this ex- region. cilities; and halal industry. recently. Senior manager Verulo Sobrio of Agumil personally met the team (above photo) and ercise is part of the regional Mastura said the basis (MINDANAO EXAMNER explained how the company operates. government’s goal of in- used in the review of the / PIO)  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN MAY - JUNE 2015 ACTIVITIES Coffee farmer’s feat inspires Jolo growers JOLO, SULU -- Jolo “ That was a very pro- P600,000, more than half a coffee growers, all - mem ductive benchmarking million, or P50,000 a year, bers of the coffee industry visit in Cavite and the cof- making him far richer than cluster team in the Autono- fee cluster team learned so most Makati top execu- mous Region of Muslim many things like produc- tives,” Haron said. Mindanao were inspired ing a bigger output of high There were many and motivated by the feat of quality coffee beans even things Sulu coffee grow- one coffee farmer in Cavite from a small farm” Haron ers learned from Calanug, during their benchmarking said. but the advice that stuck in visit there early this year. This coffee farmer from their minds was “to keep Provincial Director Tagaytay village, Cavite, pruning the coffee trees Harrison Haron of the De- according to Haron, only even at the early stage to partment of Trade and In- have 550 trees on his small produce more branches” dustry said the coffee clus- farm, yet was able to earn – which was why each tree ter team was impressed by about P300,000 per harvest could produce 50 to 70 ki- how Cavite coffee farmer twice a year, earning a total los of coffee beans, accord- Gregorio Calanug was able of P600,000 a year, accord- ing to Haron. to produce 50 to 70 kilos ing to Haron. Many of the best les- of coffee beans per coffee “This means Calanug, sons learned from the tree on his small 2.5 hectare this humble coffee farmer turn to page 7 farmland. from Cavite, earns about

RUBBER PLANTATION. A comprehensive survey covering a total area of 15,000 hectares of rubber farm areas in Lamitan has been completed recently by the ARMM rubber industry cluster team in Basilan. Data collected are now being sorted, validated and analyzed by the Industry cluster team. Photo shows a typical rubber plantation in Mindanao. clusters Rubber cluster conducts get help on updated survey of farms managing budgets LAMITAN CITY ---- farm,” says Narsico who Reaching an approxi- Aiming to cover a total area coordinates all the cluster mate target of 15,000 hect- DAVAO CITY -- Sys- of 15,000 hectares of rubber activities together with the ares of rubber farms in tems and procedures on farm areas situated in this cluster chairperson, Mayor Lamitan would mean that the release and liquida- bustling city of Basilan is- Rose Furigay. the survey could cover tion of funds for various land, an extensive survey All the data collected about 40% of the entire activities and projects of READY FOR HARVEST. A farm worker checks the fruit was made by the cluster by the six enumerators who Basilan rubber industry, the six industry clusters of bunches of a palm oil tree to see if it’s ready for harvest at the Agumil Plantation in Palawan where the ARMM palm oil team covering 38 island conducted the surveys are according to Narsico. the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao were industry cluster members conducted their benchmarking villages or barangays to get now being sorted out, col- Being the key commer- study visit recently. a very clear picture of the lated, analyzed, interpret- cial crop in Basilan, the rub- explained in detail to coor- rubber industry here. ed and validated together ber industry has long been dinators of the five Satellite Rubber cluster vice- with government agencies established in the island for Project Management Office DA farmers’ school to chair Domeng Narsico said and other stakeholders in many decades, with large or SPMO by Yumi Balse, project coordinator of Ja- it was important for the the rubber industry. turn to page 7 train industry clusters cluster team to reach all pan International Coopera- COTABATO CITY -- them on new farm technol- the 38 barangays in Lami- tion Agency. The coordinators were - Farmers’ Field School or ogy. tan area and survey all the Coconut cluster eyeing represented by provincial FFS is becoming more and In a typical FFS, farm- existing rubber tree farms directors of the ARMM more popular as an effec- ers are taught the correct operating in the area. cacao, coffee intercrops Department of Trade and tive way to train farmers way to plant seeds, main- “We’re now validating Industry who earlier met right on the field on-site tain a good nursery, how COTABATO CITY - “After visiting some all these data. We need to with the ARMM Assistant how to plant, grow, and to plant correctly, how to know how many trees, how -- Coconut farmers and successful farms and see- Trade Secretary Abubacar harvest commercial crops drive away pests using old they are, how the farm- growers are now thinking ing how we can use the Datumanong who briefed using the latest proven natural pesticides from er tap the latex, how they of intercropping their coco- wide spaces between our them on the available pro- methods and technology farm wastes, how to make provided by agriculture and use natural fertilizers, process it, how they run nut trees with either coffee coconut trees to plant an- grams and projects of rel- experts and technicians how to grow high quality the farm--- everything we or cacao trees to boost their other crop that earns even evant government agen- from the Department of fruits, how to harvest, etc, need to know about each income from their farms. more money than coco- cies that can be tapped for nuts, I’m seriously thinking Agriculture. etc. funding the activities and Kadiguia Abdullah, “We’re working closely of planting either coffee or projects of the clusters in cacao at my coconut farm,” DA agriculturist and in- with the ARMM industry the region. formation chief who sat cluster teams like coconut says one coconut farmer Balse said it was impor- through most of the plan- and coffee to find out their and cluster member. tant for the cluster coordi- ning workshops of the six requirements for training Provincial director nators to know the system ARMM industry clusters farmers in the field. The Khalikuzaman Baraguir of of accessing the funds to in Davao last year said the DA can link up with other the Department of Trade activate their projects and FFS program has kept them national agencies, coopera- and Industry said the in- the detailed procedures of very busy training and re- tives, academe, and other tercropping of coconuts liquidating the expenses training farmers who grow stakeholders to help set up with commercial crops like after the project is imple- different commercial crops the FFS” Abdullah said. coffee or cacao, if properly like mango, coconut, cof- planned and managed, turn to page 7 fee, rice, corn, etc to update turn to page 7 could mean a bigger in- come for coconut farmers in Maguindanao. ARMM clusters tapping Baraguir noted that several coconut plantations in Davao are even inter- funds from government cropped with Cavendish bananas, export quality pa- COTABATO CITY -- ARMM industry clusters ARMM. All you need to payas, Hawaii pineapples, - Government funds allo- and DTI provincial direc- do is find this budget and besides coffee and cacao. cated by various national tors to look for government submit your proposals to Farm technicians from agencies for industry budgets set aside to boost these government offices ,” the Department of Agricul- growth and development the growth of local indus- Datumanong said. ture had been going around are now being tapped by tries like coconut, palm oil, Since the funds pro- many coconut farms in the industry clusters of the abaca, rubber, coffee and vided by Japan Interna- Mindanao encouraging Autonomous Region in seaweeds. tional Cooperation Agency coconut farmers to use the Muslim Mindanao. “There are budgets for are not enough to cover the ARMM DTI Trade Secretary Sakiran Hajan joins a meeting wide spaces between the ARMM-DTI Assis- programs from relevant entire costs of each cluster’s of industry clusters and DTI provincial directors from Tawi- rows of coconut trees by tant Trade Secretary Abu- national government offic- total budget needs, Datu- Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao during a bacar Datumanong urged es that match the needs of turn to page 7 recent JICA workshop in Davao. turn to page 7 the team leaders of the six our pilot industries in the MAY - JUNE 2015 PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN  SIDELIGHTS Trade officials want better internet in ARMM islands COTABATO CITY --- province in the region. function well in far-flung The islands of Tawi-Tawi, Communications is very islands, but this too, has Sulu and Basilan are still important for people like to be tested yet to prove having a hard time getting us located in islands like whether or not it could de- good internet connection Tawi-tawi, Sulu and Basi- liver fast and efficient inter- and cannot send reports or lan,” one provincial official net services to the ARMM receive emails as often as said. islands, according to one they want to. Another trade official provincial official assigned Provincial trade of- said the recurring brown- in one of the islands. ficials said telecommu- outs and very slow internet “We’ve had some tele- nication firms trying to made available in Tawi- com companies offering provide internet services tawi, Basilan and Jolo is- similar satellite internet in the islands offer “very lands by two giant telecom services, but they are very expensive” broadband ser- firms, are slowing down expensive and cannot guar- vices for internet that keeps the economic activities in antee whether or not their OPEN DISCUSSION. Various ideas and opinions are openly discussed during a typical breaking down due to the ARMM island prov- broadband services can re- planning meeting for an activity or a project by ARMM industry cluster teams until a common consensus is reached by every member of an industry. Photo shows Fernando De Dios, DTI many technical problems inces due to breakdown in ally deliver fast internet at senior trade and industry specialist stressing a point during a meeting by an ARMM cluster. that have not been ironed communications. all times,” a high regional out by the telecoms. New satellite telecom trade official said here. “It could be very ex- firms like the Global Net- Having a very efficient Rubber cluster cites new asperating when you can’t work Satellite TV has also broadband service offering send out your reports and offered the “I-Sat” or In- satellite internet in Tawi- investments, jobs, sales send emails to another ternet Satellite designed to turn to page 6 ZAMBOANGA CITY -- the rubber cluster report. The rubber industry in A total of P313.6 million in In only a span of six Zamboanga, according to JICA Cotabato coordinator new investments from ex- months this year since Jan- the report, was also a recipi- pansion projects of existing uary, the various projects of ent of the DTI’s Shared Ser- rubber plantations in Zam- the rubber industry cluster vice Facility (SSF) program following ARMM clusters boanga were cited recently also generated a total of which provided various ment of participants from by the rubber industry clus- 3,375 jobs. Besides jobs, the equipment to qualified ben- COTABATO CITY ---- development of industries ter in an accomplishment rubber industry also helped eficiaries in the industry. A Japanese project coordi- in the region. these industries,” Nishi- report received by the Clus- perk up the region’s local These equipment included: nator is now acquainting Shu Nishimaru, proj- maru said. ter Bulletin. economy by creating 26 Rubber Sheet Processing himself with the various ect coordinator of Japan- The Japanese proj- The report covering the small businesses--- micro Equipment for Regions 7 activities and projects of Bangsamoro Initiatives for ect coordinator said the period January to June 2015 small and medium enter- and 12, and 77 weighing the pilot industry clusters Reconstruction and Devel- growth of industries like came after the the end of prises (MSME) while help- scales for rubber for Zam- in the Autonomous Region opment or J-BiRD, has been the coconut industry, palm the National Industry Clus- ing a total of 386 micro en- boanga Sibugay and Zam- for Muslim Mindanao to attending the series of plan- oil industry, abaca indus- ter Capacity Enhancement terprises which provided boanga Norte in Region 9. try, rubber industry, coffee Project, (NICCEP) the joint various services to the in- (Philpress News) help boost the growth and ning and monitoring work- project of Department of dustry in many areas. shops of the ARMM indus- industry and seaweed in- Trade and Industry and Ja- try clusters in Davao these dustry will uplift the living pan International Coopera- past few months together standards of thousands of tion Agency. with some Bangsamoro de- Muslims in the ARMM re- Besides the expansion Coffee industry cluster velopment executives. gion. of various rubber farm ar- J-BiRD is one of the While the J-BiRD proj- eas, investments were also prominent projects of Ja- ect focuses on building made in developing new cites full gov’t support roads, bridges, schools rubber nurseries and reha- pan International Coopera- bilitation of rubber process- BAGUIO CITY --- Na- high priorities given to the pants during the Coffee tion Agency dealing with and providing deep water ing equipment, according tional government agen- coffee industry by such Industry Cluster Conver- rebuilding and develop- wells and power projects, to the rubber cluster report. cies have affirmed their full government agencies as gence Meeting held at the ing towns and villages in the JICA-assisted ARMM support for the growth and the Department of Agri- conference room of the Even after the end of Mindanao’s former conflict industry cluster project on development of the coffee culture, the Department of DTI Regional Operations NICCEP, the rubber clus- areas together with various the other hand, provides industry in the Philippines, Environment and Natural Group in Makati, Maglaya ter reported domestic sales national government agen- the technical assistance and totaling P498.8 or nearly according to a report sub- Resources, the Depart- underscored the need “to cies. funds to help each industry half billion pesos, which is mitted recently by Myrna ment of Agrarian Reform, partner with other govern- maximize its potentials by about 77% of their yearly Pablo, regional director of the Department of Science ment agencies and the pri- “It’s nice to know how target of P651 million. The the Department of Trade and Technology, the De- vate sector to identify the well the industry cluster- training them how to or- domestic sales, according to and Industry. partment of Labor and Em- gaps and opportunities to ing project is turning out ganize, plan and manage the report, came from seed- In her report to DTI ployment and other agen- maximize the resources”. in the ARMM as well as the their own projects. (Phil- UnderSecretary Zenaida cies, offices and bureaus. Private sector groups lings, latex, cuplumps and deep interest and involve- press News) Maglaya, Pablo cited the Addressing partici- crumb rubber, according to turn to page 7 AICCEP PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICES

ARMM PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICE Lanao del Sur Satellite Project Management Office Sulu Satellite Project Management Office Satellite Project Director : Mohammed Aquil A. Makainte Satellite Project Director : Harrison Haron DTI Asst. Trade Secretary Abubacar M. Datumanong ARMM Department of Trade and Industry ARMM Department of Trade and Industry ARMM Department of Trade and Industry 3F, RLM Bldg., Amai Pakpak Avenue Sulu Provincial Office ORG Complex, Cotabato City, Maguindanao Barrio Green, Marawi City 7400 Jolo, Sulu Telephone : (064) 421 – 3442 Telephone: Cellphone: 0915 8059221 Fax Nos. : (064) 421 – 7729 Fax Nos. : Fax Nos. : Email add : Email add : Email add : Website : Website: Website:

Maguindanao Satellite Project Management Office Basilan Satellite Project Management Office Tawi-tawi Satellite Project Management Office Satellite Project Director: Datu Khalikuzaman Baraquir Satellite Project Director : Nonito Manuel Satellite Project Director : Nazrullah Masahud ARMM Department of Trade and Industry ARMM Department of Trade and Industry ARMM Department of Trade and Industry Door 1-2 Alonto-Biruar Bldg. Valderosa Street, Isabela City, Basilan Bongao, Tawi-T-awi Mabini St., Cotabato City Cellphone: 0875 2205738 (Telephone) Telephone: Fax Nos. : (Fax no.) Fax Nos. : Email add : (Email address) Email add : Website: Website: SENIOR ADVISERS : ARMM DTI Secretary Sakiran Hajan  PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN MAY - JUNE 2015 feature JICA’s programs on JICA mulls on quick impact “peace and development projects in Mindanao in Mindanao HE WORLD’S largest bilateral aid agency is looking at the Development. Under this, infrastructure and provide some 707 community de- include aid possibility of implementing quick impact projects in Mind- equipment to devastated velopment assistance proj- areas post-Yolanda. efforts under anao following the signing of the historic peace agreement ects and 32 infrastructure He said that although the Japan- between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic projects were implemented. he was impressed by ef- Liberation Front (MILF) and areas severely devastated by The Japanese agency is forts of people there in also currently implement- reconstruction and recov- Bangsamoro typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) the previous year. T ing a 780 million yen proj- ery, there were still a huge Speaking to reporters funds provided for grant unteers and local staff in the Initiatives ect for establishment of the amount of challenges to be during his visit to the Phil- aid what JICA is doing as overseas offices in inclusive new Bangsamoro govern- overcome. for Recon- ippines, Japan International seamless as possible.” and dynamic development ment. “JICA is in the process Cooperation Agency (JICA) JICA is an agency of the which is incorporated in struction and Aside from quick im- of bringing about some president Akihiko Tanaka Japanese government re- about a hundred on-going pact projects, Tanaka also quick impact reconstruc- said he stressed the neces- sponsible for implementing cooperation programs. Development emphasized the importance tion effort and long term sity of implementing quick the technical cooperation, JICA’s programs on of inclusiveness to ensure a plan,” he disclosed. “We are (J-BIRD) impact projects to show grant aid and yen loan pro- peace and development future of peace, prosperity, now discussing at least fifty the dividends of peace in grams of Japan’s ODA to in Mindanao include aid program. and stability in Mindanao. projects.” separate meetings with developing countries such efforts under the Japan- “We have to see to it “Experts are now sur- The total President Benigno Aquino as the Philippines. Bangsamoro Initiatives for that no important segment veying what should be done III, MILF chairman Al Haj It is the world’s larg- Reconstruction and Devel-

of society will be excluded,” in reconstruction process,” ODA provid- Murad Ebrahim and MILF est bilateral aid agency opment (J-BIRD) program. the JICA chief pointed out. added Tanaka. “We are uti-

Vice Chairman for Political with about $10.3 billion in The total ODA provided ed to the re- “All our activities should be lizing our experience in di- Affairs Ghadzali Jaafar. financial resources and a to the region to date has inclusive.” saster management and we gion to date“ “We would like to re- network of more than 100 reached 15.1 billion yen. Tanaka said the sub- are doing our best to build alize some in the coming overseas offices around the In the past, JICA has as- has reached ject of inclusiveness was back better.” months or within the year,” world. Its core professional sisted Mindanao through also the main focus of his He also expressed his Tanakas said in press brief- staff works hand in hand the Autonomous Region in 15.1 billion discussions with President optimism that JICA was able ing in Manila. “Maybe we with dispatched Japanese Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Aquino, Murad and Jaafar. to sign a loan agreement yen. can mobilize some of the personnel, experts and vol- Social Fund for Peace and “I am very happy that on March 19 out of which the MILF, the Philippine the Philippine government government and JICA all stands to benefit for its re- Palawan palm... which were so important ects and compile monitor- ARMM-DTI sets... agreed that future develop- for the team to learn after ing reports to be sent regu- construction efforts. properly, how to manage they all go back to their vincial directors. larly to DTI officers at the ment should be based on “We are now preparing wastes at the farm, etc. own palm oil farms in Ma- A project coordinator Project Management Office inclusive development and a grant program in order The ARMM palm oil guindanao. from the provincial office here in Cotabato. growth,” he noted. to reconstruct and recover cluster team also saw the “That was a very good will need to be assigned “We want to know Meanwhile, Tanaka said in affected areas,” he said. actual bagging of germi- learning experience for by the provincial director what’s going on with each JICA continues to support “We need quick impact nated seeds, saw the drip all of us. We were all im- to help coordinate with the industry cluster in the recovery and rehabilitation projects to make area safer method of watering the pressed with what we saw industry cluster on their ARMM. That’s why we of Typhoon Yolanda-hit and transform the area to be young palm oil seedlings, at Agumil in Palawan,” activities and projects, ac- need to have these regular areas through an on-going more resilient from poten- the spacing of the planted Baraguir said. (Philpress cording to Datumanong. reports sent to us,” Datu- study identifying grant aid tial typhoon threats.” (JICA seedlings, etc at Agumil, News) The DTI Assistant Sec- manong said. projects to help rehabilitate News / Manila Bulletin) retary said he looks for- These regular reports ARMM clusters... of farm cooperatives with ward to each provincial from the industry clusters, DTI director to know how according to Datumanong, philippine cluster bulletin vated by this visit, especial- individual farmers manag- to plan and manage the will also be sent to the Clus- ly for our coconut farmers ing their own cacao farm The Philippine Cluster Bulletin is the monthly publication of the basic industry cluster ap- ter Bulletin, the bi-monthly ARMM Industry Cluster Capacity Enhancement Project (AICCEP) a who are planning to inter- with special assistance proach from policy-mak- newspaper for industry joint project of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and crop their coconut trees from USAID and national the Department of Trade and Industry of the Autonomous Region of ing, to activity planning to clusters which is published Muslim Mindanao. (DTI-ARMM). with cacao,” says ARMM government agencies like monitoring activities and this time by the ARMM DTI provincial director the Department of Agri- projects of the cluster. Industry Cluster Capacity AURELIO A.PENA Khalikuzaman Baraguir culture and Department of Agrarian Reform. Datumanong said he Enhancement Project (AIC- Editor in Chief To top the Malagos expects each SPMO to With JICA assistance, CEP) and Japan Interna- YUMI BALSE cacao farm visit, the visit- gather information on the tional Cooperation Agency MIWAKO OIKAWA this benchmarking visit ing ARMM industry clus- cluster activities and proj- (JICA). (Philpress News) MARY MAYLENE AQUINO Associates ter group dropped by the was led by ARMM Trade small chocolate factory Secretary Sakiran Hajan MARY MINA F. REMIS inside the farm where the and Asst. Trade Secretary Coco coir nat’l... Production and Circulation Manager Abubacar Datumanong ac- world famous award win- be validated by March this ket at the DPWH which is ARMM CORRESPONDENTS ning brand “Davao Dark companied by DTI provin- year. ready to buy anytime from cial directors from Tawi- producers and suppliers. Harrison Haron Sulu Chocolate” is cooked, pro- The activity was also Filemon Romero Tawi-tawi The other by-product, coco cessed and packed for ex- tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Ma- timed to coincide with the Domeng Narsico Basilan guindanao and Lanao del end of the National Indus- peat, is also used by the Khalikuzaman Baraguir Maguindanao port to world markets. Mautante Marohombsar Lanao del Sur try Cluster Capacity En- livestock industry,” says Al- On their way back, the Sur as well as a number of ------industry cluster members. hancement Project, the joint cantara, one of the provin- ADVISERS ARMM cluster group also cial directors at the DTI. (Philpress Features) project of DTI and Japan ABUBACAR DATUMANONG visited a cacao plantation, International Cooperation Aside from the DPWH, DTI-ARMM Assistant Regional Secretary well-managed by a group Agency. also cited by the NIC Coco Department of Trade and Industry ORG Complex, Cotabato City, Maguindanao Alcantara said the na- Coir group were the Na- tional coco coir industry is tional Greening Program TETSUO INOOKA BSMED to put... Trade officials... now tapping the Depart- of the DENR, especially JICA Senior Consultant ------book form and made easily tawi, Jolo or Basilan could ment of Public Works and its Slope Protection Project JICA PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM available to industry cluster be very profitable for any- Highways (DPWH) as which is spearheaded by TETSUO INOOKA, chief adviser for industrial development one who plans to put up teams. among the big markets for the Mines and Geosciences YUMI BALSE, project coordinator Inquiries for such a an internet café business, geonets—an industrial net Bureau (MGB), as well as MIWAKO OIKAWA, sub-chief for business planning book manual on industry according to the trade of- made out of coco coir wo- the National Irrigation Ad- ficial, because the initial clustering have been re- ven into big nets that are ministration (NIA) which DISCLAIMER ceived by JICA consultants, capital invested in the used by road engineers to needs coco nets and coco Editorial responsibility for every issue of the Philippine Cluster Bulletin lies equipment can easily be logs for vegetation control solely on the Editor in Chief. Although every effort is made in validating and editors of Cluster Bulletin cover steep slopes of earth proofreading this issue under the time pressure of press deadline, we still and industry cluster teams recovered by the earnings beside highways to prevent along irrigation dikes, ac- anticipate some avoidable but unintentional errors, omissions and factual from the ARMM. (Phil- from the internet service erosions and landslides. cording to Alcantara. (Phil- oversights. Being the sole responsibility of the chief editor, it is understood that NO member of the AICCEP project teams from either DTI or JICA is liable for press News ) to the island community. “Geonets made from press News ) any errors, omissions and oversights in every issue of the Philippine Cluster (Philpress News) coco coir have a big mar- Bulletin. MAY - JUNE 2015 PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN  monitor

DAR-ARMM gives... ian Reform Beneficiaries Seaweed fertilizing... Nat’l cacao... Coffee farmer’s... ARMM products... Development Cooperative This husband-and-wife Cavite benchmarking trip the local producers. She the coming months. (MARBEDCO) based in Cluster Capacity Enhance- will soon be applied and Data showed that a team who both hold Ph.D’s ment Project, a joint proj- said the agency is offering Sumisip, Basilan received shared by the coffee -in technical assistance to all total of 8,832 cases under in their chosen fields, are ect of ARMM and Japan one unit of four-wheel drive dustry cluster team during the exhibitors to further de- agrarian justice delivery now working on a sea- International Cooperation tractor. the coming Farmers’ Field velop product brands and were resolved in the last 27 weed nursery project that The MARBEDCO, Agency. School for coffee farmers in on product quality to pen- years, and 19,392 farmers will produce high quality The fast-growing cacao which started in 1994, has seaweeds with high car- Sulu to be launched soon etrate domestic and export were trained in the area of industry in Davao has at- been operating for 21 years rageenan content in them by the Department of Ag- markets. human development, finan- with 246 members. He said tracted more and more in- riculture. “We are helping our in their Seaweed Cultivars vestors, growers and farm- cial management, and agri- the tractor will facilitate the DA farm technicians exhibitors in terms of pack- Laboratory at the Mindan- ers to the industry, most of cultural technology. transport and delivery of ao State University in Bon- are expected to train Sulu aging, labeling, promotion, whom are banana growers coffee growers and -farm The facilities included agricultural products such gao, Tawi-tawi. and marketing,” Anayatin and coconut farmers who ers on the proper way of said. six units of four-wheel drive as rubber and coconut. This new species of are now growing cacao growing and harvesting “We are also facilitat- tractors, three units of corn (PNA) high quality seaweeds sheller-huskers, three units trees in-between rows of Robusta coffee and other ing the accreditation of the they are developing in the varieties in the town areas of hand tractors and one Cavendish bananas and products at the Bureau of laboratory will soon be commercial coconut trees, of Patikul, Talipao, Indan- Food and Drugs so that unit of power tiller cultiva- Coconut cluster... made available to seaweed according to Banquerigo. gan and Panamao in the producers will have an easy tor. farmers who are able to planting commercial crops Guided farm tours of island province. access to both national and Gulam Omar, chair- organize themselves into The Cavite benchmark- that could generate more the Malagos cacao planta- international markets,” she man of the Mangal Agrar- a well-organized and well- ing trip was part of several added. (PNA) income for them. tion in Calinan and a farm- managed seaweed farmers’ ers’ cacao cooperative farm projects and activities of National cacao indus- association or cooperative, the ARMM coffee industry try coordinator Edwin Ban- near Tugbok turned out Coffee industry... CB editor... according to Romero. to be inspiring and edu- cluster approved by consul- querigo recently met all the With technical and tants of Japan International actively working with the ect for the next three years, ARMM industry clusters cational for all the ARMM funding assistance from Ja- Cooperation Agency this coffee industry cluster in- its eventual success as an and ARMM – DTI provin- industry cluster group pan International Coopera- year. (Philpress News) clude Nestle Philippines, award-winning project, and cial directors at the DTI participating in the farm tion Agency and the Bureau Philippine Coffee Alliance its adoption nationwide as regional office to encour- tours. of Fisheries and Aquatic “It’s so inspiring to see , GIZ-ProGED, and Red the National Industry Clus- age them to start planting Rubber cluster... Resources, the project is ex- how an ordinary farmer Cherry Coffee Shops. ter Capacity Enhancement cacao, even by intercrop- pected to enhance the capa- can own and manage a rubber plantations owned “It’s so nice to know Project for another three ping them between the co- bilities of seaweed farmers very successful cacao plan- and run by big landowners how much support the years, provided the long conuts. in Tawi-tawi to adopt the tation that earns enough and large corporations. coffee industry cluster is experience and background “Cacao trees, as we all highest quality standards to live comfortably,” says Thousands of small getting from these govern- of industry clustering all know, thrive very well un- in producing seaweeds for one cluster member of the rubber farmers, farm coop- ment agencies and private over the country for the CB der the shade, so they are the local and export mar- ARMM industry group. eratives , traders and pro- sector groups,” says Pablo chief editor. perfect crops to plant be- kets. (Philpress News) (Philpress Features ) cessors all over Lamitan who also heads the coffee “After attending all these tween your coconut trees,” and the rest of Basilan are industry cluster here . cluster meetings of different Banquerigo said. Industry clusters... earning their livelihood to- These declarations industries for many years, One ARMM coconut JICA to continue... day from rubber farming, of support came a few one gets a sense of why an cluster member said one mented. Capacity Enhancement tapping, trading and pro- months after the end of the industry team succeeds and of the best places to plant Questions raised by Project, a joint project of cessing National Industry Cluster why an industry team fails. cacao in Maguindanao the coordinators were an- ARMM-Department of This updated survey Capacity Enhancement New cluster teams today are the coconut farms and swered and cleared by Trade and Industry and Ja- of the rubber industry here Project (NICCEP), the joint will learn a great deal from cornfields of Mamapasano Balse who was open to var- town where a bloody event pan International Coopera- will be very valuable to lo- project between DTI and these failures and successes ious suggestions and in- there figured prominently quiries from the provincial tion Agency. cal government and busi- Japan International Coop- of industry clusters,” Pena in the national media. DTI directors who come Under the new AIC- ness officials determined eration Agency. said. “Once the farmers from such far-flung islands CEP, the Cluster Bulletin to attract more investors Three government This book, if ever its there start earning much like Tawi-tawi, Sulu and will be covering and report- to the island of Basilan, ac- agencies which confirmed written and produced, from their coconuts and Basilan, as well as the prov- ing on the industry cluster cording to Narsico. (Phil- that coffee is a “high pri- will be a little bigger than cacao, that will become one inces of Maguindanao and activities the ARMM region press News) ority” commodity are the a pocket book, size 5” x 8” of the most peaceful and Lanao del Sur. to include Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, DA, the DENR and the with soft-bound cover and progressive towns in the Balse recognized that Basilan, Maguindanao and DAR, according to the designed for commercial ARMM clusters... province,” he said. (Phil- the systems and proce- Lanao del Sur provinces. cluster report distribution at bookstores, manong urged the cluster press News ) dures in accessing funds (Philpress News) DA director Oscar Par- according to Pena. teams to seek budget com- from JICA was a lot dif- awan said coffee is a “high The CB editor said he is mitments from provincial ferent under the National priority commodity under glad to know that the DTI Cluster Bulletin Industry Cluster Capac- DA farmers’... governors, mayors and ... the High Value Crops De- Bureau of Small Medium ity Enhancement Project other local government DAVAO CITY ---- Definite proposals for velopment Program” while Enterprise has already pro- or NICCEP compared to units as well as national Soon as more activities and FFS training had been includ- a DENR official said coffee duced a manual of indus- the ARMM-ICCEP but this government agencies. projects begin to crop up ed in the plans, programs is one of the priorities in try clustering based on the was clarified with the coor- Commitments for among the industry cluster and budgets of the coconut their National Greening NICCEP and DICCEP expe- areas of Tawi-tawi, Sulu, dinators during the meet- funding from such agencies industry cluster in Maguin- Program where they plan riences and made available Basilan, Maguindanao and ing here in Davao. like the Philippine Coconut danao and the coffee industry to grow 90,457 hectares of to DTI provincial offices -na Lanao del Sur, the Cluster “It would be good to Authority, Department of cluster in Jolo, Sulu province coffee trees from 2012 to tionwide. (Philpress News) Bulletin editor is consider- everyone if each cluster gets and these were confirmed by Trade and Industry, De- ing on-the-spot coverages the funds to activate their 2016. (Philpress News ) a DA representative within partment of Agriculture, of ARMM industry clusters’ projects or activities right the cluster teams, according Department of Science and activities, only if approved after they’re approved, NICCEP clusters... to Abdullah. Technology, Fiber Industry Visayas sets up... and allowed by JICA con- “says Balse whose concern Although the Clus- Development Authority, sultants. was teaching them how to In Davao Occidental by providing them with ter Bulletin is now being Bureau of Fisheries and CB chief editor Aurelio liquidate the expense from (Del Sur) province, DA also proper training and capac- published by the AICCEP Natural Resources, etc. Pena said it would be “very the cluster projects. (Phil- provided the FFS training ity building activities, to or ARMM Industry Clus- have been pouring so far, informative and inspiring” press News) programs for mango grow- encourage them to avail of ter Capacity Enhancement for other industry clus- ers and farmers of three big during the last few months, new technology to improve Project, a joint project of ters to see the projects and mango associations who are even during the planning their products.” JICA and ARMM-DTI , the activities of their fellow “To take advantage of Japan International Coop- members of the mango indus- stages of the six ARMM in- paper’s contents will still cluster teams from other the fast growing travel re- eration Agency to see if it try cluster under the Davao dustry clusters. contain news items of clus- ARMM provinces thru the tail market, they need to is possible to arrange for Industry Cluster Capacity Local government ter teams from the former pages of the National Clus- upgrade the way they sell such visits. units, like the Governor’s ter Bulletin. Enhancement Project (DIC- their products. We’re ready NICCEP, together with JICA coordinator Yumi office in Tawi-tawi and “ If given the chance CEP)---the first pilot project to help them with work- ARMM region news , busi- Balse said she will discuss by JICA, I would like to see started in 2008 by Japan Inter- the Mayor’s office in Lami- shops to improve their ness news, ARMM cluster the plan with higher offi- the seaweed farms in Tawi- national Cooperation Agency tan, Basilan, had already products, develop their news, as well as JICA proj- cials in JICA sometime this tawi, coffee growing and and the DTI Davao regional set aside funds to help the own brands and design ect news items. month. processing in Jolo, rubber office. ( Philpress News ) seaweed and the rubber in- their product labels,” Cab- As the national DTI of- Balse noted that the processing in Basilan, co- dustry clusters. erte said. fice is continuing and ex- May-June 2015 issue of the conut and palm growing Budget plans submit- Branding is very im- panding the industry clus- National Cluster Bulletin is in Maguindanao and abaca Philippine Festival... portant to all kinds of ters all over the country, the no longer under the NIC- ted by industry clusters processing in Marawi,” products, according to ARMM industry clusters CEP or the National Indus- Maglaya informing them to JICA now includes col- says Pena, who has been Caberte, because it helps are also eager to know how try Cluster Capacity En- of the commercial booths umns for such government writing and editing the these small enterprises hancement Project, but has agencies like the DA, PCA, the other cluster teams in Cluster Bulletin since 2008 available to potential spon- stand out from their com- shifted over to the ARMM DOST, DTI, BFAR, LGU, Luzon, Visayas and Mind- under the DICCEP, the first sors and exhibitors in their petition. “They cannot just under the AICCEP—or the wait for customers to come anao are doing these days, pilot industry cluster proj- regions who might be inter- DAF, etc, with their cor- ARMM Industry Cluster to buy. They need to pro- funded this time by DTI’s ect. ested to take this opportu- responding contributions Capacity Enhancement duce high quality products own funds instead of JICA, Although nothing is nity to promote and market to projects and activities Project, a joint undertaking with attractive brands and according to the CB chief definite yet, this plan is still their products during the of the clusters. ( Philpress by JICA and the ARMM labels that attract custom- editor Aurelio Pena. ( Phil- being discussed by consul- News ) Trade and Industry region- Philippine Festival 2015 in ers to their products,” she press News) tants and coordinators of al office. (Philpress News) Japan. ( Philpress News ) said. (Philpress News) 8 PHILIPPINE CLUSTER BULLETIN may-june 2015 AICCEP PROJECT MAP