A
new economic zone would rise in Polomolok, South Cotabato with the development of a 59-hectare property into a manufacturing and information and technology project worth P701.1 million by Richmond Land Innovations Inc.
The
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has already approved the project under Resolution No. 09-337.
The
new ecozone,to be called the Mindanao Economic Development Zone, is located in Barangay Matinao, Polomolok, South Cotabato.
PEZA Director-General Lilia B. De Lima has informed Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila that the project’s approval is still subject to the issuance of the required Malacanang proclamation.
Richmond Land is a subsidiary of the RD Group of Companies, a family-controlled enterprise founded and managed by businessman Rodrigo E. Rivera Sr.
Of the 59.911-hectare ecozone, 50 percent would be allocated for light industrial area and 20 percent for IT component. The remaining 30 percent would be roads and open spaces.
Target locators are export-oriented light manufacturing industries and IT services.
The development of the Mindanao Economic Development Zone is expected to help perk up economic developments in the area.
Although South Cotabato is a peaceful area in southern Mindanao, it has not improved much.
Polomolok is a first-class municipality of South Cotabato. Situated between General Santos City and Tupi, it has a population as of 2007 census of 131,436 people in 22,492 households.
Polomolok is home to Dole Philippines, the biggest pineapple plantation in the world. The town of Polomolok has a potential to become a city.
South Cotabato is one of the provinces of SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Koronadal City, and it borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and east, and Davao del Sur to the east. To the southeast lies Sarangani Bay.
Its major products are pineapples, corn, rice, asparagus, vegetables and livestock and poultry.
Dole Philippines Inc. is the largest industrial firm involved in growing, processing and exporting of fresh and canned pineapple. As of 2004, the area planted to pineapple is 15,507.872 hectares with an average production volume of 31.94 metric tons per hectare.
This industry, which is situated at Barangay Cannery Site, generates about 6,000 jobs at present. It is considered as the biggest taxpayer in the municipality.
After pineapple, the most grown crop in the municipality is corn, where 3,931 hectares or 13.46 percent of its total cultivated agricultural lands are devoted to corn production.
Rice is also one of the major crops in the municipality. An estimated 445 hectares are utilized for rice production, of which only 300 hectares are irrigated, 45 are lowland, and 100 are upland.
Rice production is not enough to supply the demand of the rice-eating populace. Rice supply in the municipality depends on other rice producing areas in the region.
Polomolok is also known for its asparagus production covering over 1,435 hectares of land, mostly in Barangays Sulit, Sumbakil, Crossing Palkan, Bentung, Lapu, Pagalungan, Lumakil, Rubber and Magsaysay.
Farmer growers have access to the export market due to contract agreement with Marsman-Drysdale Agri-Ventures and Tropifresh. The surplus are sold in the local market and diversifically used as supplements for cattle fattening.
Livestock and poultry production has increased tremendously in the past years. This is partly due to the municipality’s climate and terrain which is ideal for livestock and poultry production. The land area devoted for agri-livestock production is 80 hectares or 0.27 percent of the total agricultural land. (PNA)
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Topic: New Economic Zone to Rise in Polomolok, South Cotabato, Philippines (Read 1524 times)