DA allots P100M to S.Leyte abaca industry

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is allotting P100 million to the local government of Sogod, Southern Leyte as an initial production support for the abaca industry.

To boost industry output, the DA has earmarked P5 billion for the next five years.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol on Friday said an initial funding of P100 million will be transferred to the LGU of Sogod through Mayor Imelda U. Tan.

During the Abaca Farmers Forum in Southern Leyte on Thursday, Piñol revealed his plan to expand the abaca plantation in the region.

The Agriculture chief noted that President Rodrigo Duterte has been advised about the rehabilitation of the abaca industry in Leyte.

The government targets about 90,000 hectares of plantations, not only in Southern Leyte but across the country, Piñol noted.

“There is a great demand for abaca all over the world and there are only three countries producing it: Philippines, Ecuador, and Costa Rica,” he said.

"We really have to exploit new opportunities in front of us, as far as abaca is concerned," he added. — Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News