THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are forming regional and provincial rubber industry cluster teams in MIMAROPA region (which includes the provinces of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Philippines.
The move is part of efforts in uplifting the rubber industry in the country.
MIMAROPA’s potential for rubber has been identified, having vast tracts of land ideal for rubber plantation.
The high demand for rubber in the global and domestic markets pushes the country to develop the rubber infustry further. Sitti Amina Jain, DTI assistant regional director and national rubber industry cluster manager, said it is important for the country to expand rubber production to meet the market demands, likewise to take advantage increasing demands from companies such as the Yokohama Tire Philippines, which is expanding its tyre production to 50,000 tyres a day by 2017.
Currently, YTP produces 21,000 tyres a day and obtains 4% of its rubber requirements from the country.
In 2012, the Philippines produced 442,990 metric tonnes of rubber, according to the Bureau of Agriculture data.