DTI Davao Oriental eyes coffee plantation expansion

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Creation of TWG for JICA-aided projects in Davao City pushed

Davao City councilor Myrna

Dalodo-Ortiz is pushing for a resolution requesting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte to create a Technical Working Group (TWG) dedicated to projects being assisted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Ortiz, chair of the Committee on Finance, Ways, and Means, and Appropriations of the City Council, said on Thursday that with the creation of TWG, implementation of JICA-assisted projects in Davao City will be easier.

Ortiz shared over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) that officials of JICA expressed their concern about identifying a contact person in Davao City during their visit to Japan on April 25, 2023.

“JICA brought up to our group maglisod daw sila ug kontak kinsa ang ilahang contact person diri sa Davao considering diri sa JICA-asissted projects. We came up with a solution na maghimo ug TWG ang atoang executive department ni Mayor Baste. Adunay TWG ang stakeholders such as from DPWH, housing, kay kaning mga projects aduna pud tay social responsibility like ang mga maigo nga katawhan sa bypass mao na mas maayo nga adunay representation per stakeholder,” she said.

The TWG will be dedicated only to JICA-funded projects.

“Para kung naa sila’y gusto klaruhon, naa silay gusto ikontak diri sa Davao, matawagan lang kung kaninong department or stakeholder concern ang istoryahon sa JICA. Ug para dili malangan ang implementation sa mga projects ug uban pang umaabot na mga projects,” Ortiz added.

Among the projects funded by JICA for Davao City include the construction of the building at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and ongoing projects such as the Davao City Bypass Road and the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road.

Meanwhile, Japanese businessmen Jun Shimaoka and Keito Ochi expressed their interest to establish a bridging school in Davao City during their privileged speech at the city council last Tuesday.

Ortiz explained that the school will prioritize Japanese descendants in Davao City.

“They are very eager to do business here in Davao and still find business opportunities here in our city. Sa ilahang visit ilahang na identify is one katong bridging school wherein katong ipang hire

Anofficial of the Department of Trade and Industry-Davao Oriental disclosed to the media on Wednesday that the department is eyeing 200 hectares for coffee expansion under the RAPID (Rural Agroenterprise Partnerships for Inclusive Development) Growth Project.

Art Hermoso, officer-in-charge provincial director of DTI-Davao Oriental, told media on Wednesday that under the DTI Rapid Growth Project, they are targeting 200 hectares and are eyeing to accomplish this until the project will end in 2025.

Coffee is one of the priority industries that the RAPID Growth

Project supports through the value chain approach.

One of the key features of the RAPID Growth Project is the Conditional Matching Grants. Grant fund support will be provided to qualified proponents to enhance their overall competitiveness level and for the development of the specific agricul- tural value chain.

“The DTI Rapid Growth Project will focus also on matching grant to avoid na mahatagan sila ug equipment na low ang quality. Ang mangyayari ang funds from DTI Rapid Growth Project i-transfer sa beneficiary so they have the capacity to choose what equipment na best para sa ilaha,” she said during Wednesdays Habi at Kape media forum.

The RAPID Growth Project was conceptualized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).