#MINDANAO
This year we are celebrating 75 years of relations between Canada and the Philippines. These decades reveal discoveries and partnerships. This year also becomes significant because we celebrate the Canadian government’s decision to open its Indo-Pacific Agriculture and agrifood office in Manila last February. Establishing this office shows Canada’s commitment to broadening trade ties with southeast Asia through agribusiness, agri technology, and trade expertise, for which it is well known.
I believe this office can do well to see how trade with Canada and other north American countries can broaden further, and how supply and value chains within the Indo-Pacific can be strengthened, promoting strong intercountry trade ties between the agribusiness players within the Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world.
In future columns, I will write further about recent developments from major Philippine corporate forays into agribusiness such as investments and larger consolidation in the dairy industry, such as the entry of Metro Pacific Dairy Farms and the meat industry through Pilmico’s Good Meat brand. These show the opportunities in Southeast Asia. Other ventures cover the blue economy. These represent further consolidation and volume promotion through technology that allows it to produce safe and healthy food.
The agribusiness space is a significant sector for Mindanao, given that a big portion of its population livelihood depend on enterprises engaged in such endeavors that include growing and processing agriculture and fishery products. Adding value will bolster its future to bring opportunity to more, helping boot the resilience of many local economies.
Better transport and mobility
While the famed sunsets of this city are tempered by rainy afternoons, I get ready to travel once again, thinking my June 3, 2024 column I wrote about how, I as a frequent traveler to the national capital region am looking forward to a time when travelling within the capital region will be more seamless.
Recent news regarding the integration of terminal fee in 2go tickets are welcome news formany travelers who take ships to the Visayas and Mindanao .https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/17/2-go-travel-tickets-now-cover-manila-port-terminal-fee . This comes with the recent announcement of new interisland routes to Davao, the possibility of taking passenger ships as an alternative to air travel bring back memories for people like me, who spent much time on ships going from Mindanao to Manila. Integrating terminal fees reduce the steps for for passengers travelling in busy shipping terminals.
Rodger Velasco will be missed
I mourn the sudden passing of Engr. Rodger Velasco, the chairman of the board of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry and chief operating officer of The Davao Light and Power Company (DLPC). His legacy is remembered as humble yet courageous and forward-looking leadership, executed with a high level of consistent professionalism, dedication, innovation, and skill as he rose through the ranks in his career with the company. He was a witness to Davao's phenomenal development as a city and in his collaboration with the city government in programs such as the implementation of the electric bus system and the underground cabling project. He was a dedicated athlete, husband, and father to a loving family. His ability to balance all of these vital elements of his life can only be described as stemming from a “grace of leadership” grounded in a spiritual life with his parish and community, setting a shining example for many of us who aspire for such a balance. He will be missed.