The Philippine government is aiming to double the rubber production in the country by 2016, due to this, the Department of Trade and Industry of the Provincial Government of Zamboanga Del Norte formed a rubber group.
The DTI Director of the Province, Mr. Noel Bazan facilitated the formation of the rubber cluster team with the Department of Agriculture as the Chair witness after he presented the issues and opportunities regarding the production of rubber in the country.
The new rubber group is composed of three vice chair representatives from different farmer’s association, business groups, traders and processors. Members of the new group where from different departments and institution of the Philippines namely the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Jose Memorial State University (JRMSU), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and other rubber industry stakeholders while the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has served as the secretariat of the team.
It was reported by the DENR that the province of Zamboanga Del Norte has about 1,200 hectares of rubber plantation and is aiming to increase it to 100,000 hectares under the National Greening Program. (RJA)