Taguig City – The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has signed on Monday a Memorandum of Agreement and Undertaking with the Department of Agriculture (DA), which serves as the commitment of the parties in order to facilitate the creation of Agro-industrial and Aquamarine economic zones in viable areas of the country. PEZA also signed a Memorandum of Undertaking with Canadian company True North Farms, Inc. (TNFI) with the purpose to establish an initial of 50-hectare agro-industrial ecozones devoted solely for cacao production and exports of cacao products.
PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza signed the agreements respectively with DA Secretary William Dar, Mr. Jesus Jayme, the Managing Director of True North Farms, Inc., and officers of both DA-connected companies and Canadian firms such as EnEco WTF Pacific, Inc. and Silver Valley Farms (SVF). The said agreements establish partnership for programs to industrialize and revolutionize ecozones in the country.
According to Plaza, “the MOA and MOU signing is important as PEZA now embark in revolutionizing its programs.” She explained that “the landmark signing is significant as PEZA seeks to promote domestic enterprises to encourage them to maximize domestic production, manufacturing, and export capability of the Filipinos and, thereby, lessen the import-dependence of the country.”
She added that “the partnership with other government agencies and industries is necessary especially with the implementation of Administrative Order no. 18, which aims to accelerate rural progress through robust development of special economic zones in the countryside.”
Meanwhile, the Agriculture Secretary also shared that “DA and PEZA share the same goal to improve farm income and generate work opportunities for farmers, fishermen, and other rural workers. Both DA and PEZA recognize the need for cooperative effort in promoting and supporting investments to agricultural-oriented activities through the granting of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives and development of agro-industrial, aquamarine, and agro-forestry special ecozones.”
“This is now the time to bring investors to hubs where they can set up rural industries that will unlock the potential of agriculture and agribusiness for the country,” noted the DA Secretary.
Moreover, Dar explained that “PEZA, in general, is God-sent for me because it will translate one of the paradigms I wanted DA to really undertake. Agro-industrialization is needed if we really want to give opportunities for small farmers and fishers.”
Dar also noted that “agro-industrialization is a way forward and PEZA will be an important partner to make it possible.” He added that “he has always believed in the small brother-big brother concept in implementing inclusive agri-business strategy.” With this, Plaza ensures that “there will be opportunities for everybody to participate so that everyone can contribute in making the country productive.”
Boost PH’s cacao production with TNFI
On the other hand, TNFI plans to venture into cacao production in the Philippines for export by establishing a 50-hectare ecozone in three production sites and explore the viability of growing blueberries in Baguio City and Bukidnon Province. Jayme noted that they chose to go into a MOU with PEZA because “the agency is the forefront of representation for foreign investors.”
The project to be inserted by TNFI is in line with the 2016-2022 Philippine Cacao Industry Roadmap which hopes to establish a sustainable and competitive cacao industry and contribute to spurring development in the countryside through livelihood creation toward an inclusive growth aimed by Executive Order No. 05.
PEZA continues to actively invite and attract foreign direct investors to the country, promoting the benefits of investing in the Philippines. Likewise, the agency aims to fully industrialize the country and empower Filipino workers, generating new jobs, investments, and other economic opportunities for the Philippines.
Meanwhile, DA recognizes the importance of foreign direct investments coming to the country. According to Dar, “the private sector’s role will be essential in developing and promoting agricultural products.” The DA envisions for promotion of exports in a way that “the country should have a systematic and long-term strategy in developing and promoting exports of raw and processed products.” DA pointed out that “this would require achieving economies of scale in on-farm production that would generate sustained quantity and quality of export products.” #