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| Photo 2: Members of the new abaca industry roadmap technical working group (AIR-TWG) in Lanao del Sur province sign the pledge of commitment to show their full support for the implementation of programs that would better the production of abaca in the province. (Jason Casas/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur) |
MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The aim of bolstering the abaca industry here has firmly underscored the need for oneness among all appropriate line agencies to implement programs focused on giving a direct and positive impact to farmers and plantations.
A new technical working group (TWG) was organized on August 11 to converge various ministries of the Bangsamoro government and take part in the formulation of a roadmap for progressive abaca production.
The Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism (MTIT)-Lanao del Sur, which led the reorganization of the TWG, stressed that its primary capability is marketing, hence, it would have to tap other partners to realize its set target.
“Kailangan talaga namin ang tulong ninyo. We cannot just formulate a certain roadmap para sa ikabubuti ng industry within ourselves, sa MTIT. Kailangan namin ng tulong ng agencies kagaya ninyo para tulungan kami sa paggawa ng roadmap,” MTIT-Lanao del Sur Chief Trade Industry Development Specialist Mautante Marohombsar told the TWG members.
[We need your help. We cannot just formulate a certain roadmap for the goodness of this industry within ourselves, the MTIT. We need the help of agencies like you to help us in making the roadmap.]
MTIT-Lanao del Sur Senior Trade Industry Development Specialist Abdul Bashit Sabdullah bared that one of the challenges their TWG anticipates in pushing the future initiatives would involve the value chain, considering that the needed technical assistance would not be sufficiently provided to the clamoring farmers as an issue on manpower on the member service provider is existing until now, particularly the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA).
To give a remedy, he stated that they would try to tap other members to render their own programs to fill the gap.
Further, local government units are urged to pour their effort into this endeavor as they also play a significant role in boosting the abaca industry within their area of jurisdiction.
Despite the obstacles, Sabdullah displayed positivity that their TWG would be successful, noting that the members have likewise pledged to back the achievement of their desired milestone.
“Sa TWG naman [For the TWG], we are seeking their full support. We ask for the commitment to support ng technical working group. They actually committed to support the program, and we are very hopeful na tuloy-tuloy itong ating programa,” he said.
Among the members of the new TWG are the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG), Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE-TESD), Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE), Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Mindanao State University - College of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE), Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Federation Of Farmers Cooperative, and Philippine Information Agency.
With the reorganization of the abaca industry roadmap TWG, farmers showed their joy as they look forward to continuous production and more aid from the member ministries.
“Kami ay masayang-masaya. Maipagpapatuloy na ang aming production sa abaca. Malaking tulong ito sa amin,” said Lanao del Sur Abaca Federation President Cairoden Mostafa.
[We are very happy. We can now continue our production of the abaca. This is a big help to us.] (CRG/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)
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