Banana Industry Pushes for Research Center

Local banana industry players are asking Congress to speed up the passage of a law that establishes a research center that would tackle various industry production issues such as preventing the spread of the Panama disease.

The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) mentioned that creating the proposed state-of-the-art Banana Research and Development Center of the Philippines has not moved forward after years of discussion with the government.

PBGEA Executive Director Stephen A. Antig mentioned how the industry stays hopeful that President Marcos Jr.’s campaign promise of the research center would materialize under his administration.

“There is still no progress. We are keeping our fingers crossed that it will be passed by Congress. There are bills filed [at the House of Representatives]. Even in the Senate, there is a bill filed by Sen. Imee Marcos,” mentioned Antig.

Antig also adds that they hope that other lawmakers would express support for the local banana industry which has been dealing with several challenges.

Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, Rep. Joey Salceda, mentions that the banana industry is facing a “life-or-death” situation and is asking the administration to pass the needed interventions to support this agricultural export.

“We hope other lawmakers will be able to do that, to see the importance of the banana industry,” said Antig.

The PBGEA has been lobbying for the establishment of a research facility that would oversee the production of high-yielding and Panama disease-resistant varieties.

Source: Business Mirror