SPEECH OF MS. BASILISA HO CHAIRMAN, RUBBER DEV'T SUB-
COMMITTEE
In
late 2002, the Sub-Committee on Rubber Industry Development
was created specifically to recommend policies and to
address the issues confronting the industry. The Philippine
Rubber Industry Association (PRIA) sponsored the Sub-Committee
during the presidency of Mr. Pablito Chua and my self
was elected chairperson and Assistant Director Lito Baron
as Vice Chairperson. Membership is composed of 70% private
sector and 30% from the government.
The
Sub-Committee created a technical working group (TWG)
to develop a short term plan to address the issues of
improving the income of the small rubber planters and
make available a steady supply of raw materials for both
local and export markets. The TWG recommended the adoption
of the rubber based farming system for small rubber planters
and massive campaign on the planting of rubber, rubber
nurseries will be established wherein quality planting
materials will be accessible to interested planters at
a reasonable price. Simultaneous to these activities,
a training module was designed specifically to train some
800 farmer leaders who will serve as trainers after their
graduation.
Today,
Jan. 21, 2004, the government led by the Department of
Agriculture with PRIA is launching the Rubber Demo Farm
Program. This is a significant event for this is history
in the making. Since 1994, PRIA has campaigned for the
planting of Rubber Trees, but due to various circumstances
no action was taken by both the government and the private
sector. We hope that by launching this Rubber Demo Farm
will help in a way to encourage and enlighten our farmers
in planting of Rubber Trees. As a Chinese saying goes
"Throwing a stone in exchange for a Jade".
This
gigantic activity will need millions of pesos. The PRIA
members contributed a small amount to finance this three
(3) demo farm in Basilan and Sibugay, Zamboanga. We pray
for financial support from government agencies specifically
DA and private sectors in order to extend this program
to other regions in the south.
Hopefully,
this signals the beginning of a new era of bountiful blessings
for rubber planters and for the industry. This will also
contribute to the reforestation and growth of our country's
economy. Since rubber is a high value crop, it is dollar
earning and labor intensive industry. We ask for your
support of this promising and profitable industry.
Thank
you and Kung Hei Fat Choy!
