A top official of a local company has assured farmers of the benefits in the operations of its projects as it is looking at providing value chain needs of its clients.
In an electronic mail to TIMES over the weekend, Ricardo F. Lagdameo, Damosa Land Inc. first vice president, said his company, which operates the Anflo Industrial Estate (AIE) in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, has provided a venue that helps farmers slowly eliminate middle men and helps them reach their markets.
Lagdameo, grandson of the company founder, the late Don Antonio O. Floirendo, highlighted the importance of agriculture and agribusiness in the economy, as he pointed out that the company, a member of the Floirendo Group of Companies, has been looking at how to help the sector in the Davao Region and the rest of Mindanao.
“We have been able to showcase this (importance of agriculture) in AIE (Anflo Industrial Estate) wherein various companies involved in agri business are located within the park. We have, for instance, several banana product manufacturers who export their products,” Lagdameo said.
He added that to ensure the supply of bananas, they are currently working on a project that will hopefully ensure quality supply to the en-users by working directly with small farmers.
Aside from bananas, Lagdameo is also hoping chocolate exporters would consider locating at the industrial park, which is accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, so they can get access to better technology, particularly packaging, and other needs that they can tap into.
Considering that Davao region is number one in the Philippines in terms of cacao production, by placing one’s chocolate manufacturing facility in the AIE, Lagdameo said these companies will not only have access to all necessary components in producing items that would meet international standards, but at the same time they would also get tax benefits as exporter as the economic zone is government-accredited.
Lagdameo said that they are active in marketing their industrial park locally and internationally. Moreover, they also conduct park tours that would make people understand the industry.
He said that they have been promoting Davao as an investment haven for years through several projects such as offices, flexible work spaces, and industrial parks.
For the industrial park, they have already built the infrastructure and other components, including the Davao International Container Terminal, a state-of-the art port, that companies can tap into in accessing international markets.
Locators, he said, would only have build their respective factories as the facility has 63-hectares in area.
“All it takes is for a few good investors to lead the way and others will follow,” he said.
