MIC project seen to draw more investors

MIC project seen to draw more investors

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Determined to bring about agro-industrial development and spur investment in the country, the Philippine government ventured into a partnership with the Korean government in the establishment of Multi-Industry Clusters (MIC).

The said strategy is initiated by the Korean government with the hopes of causing economic growth by generating employment in the rural areas that will alleviate poverty as well as promote food security through the establishment of agro-based industries, thereby also strengthening the relationship between two countries.

The Korean government granted the Philippines with a Corn Processing Complex as a pilot project under the MIC located in Malagana, Claveria, Misamis Oriental. The facility is expected to fully operate early next year and is deemed to help local farmers in marketing their produce and reduce postharvest losses due to improper handling. They will also impart Korean farm technologies to the local agri-industry movers to further help in the increase of production.

With the near completion of the said pilot project, a planning workshop was recently conducted to establish a Regional Technical Working Group (RTWG) that will deal with the possible boost of investors that will be heightened as soon as the commencement of the project.

The meeting tackled on the emerging issues with the implementation of MIC and it seeks to craft the guidelines in dealing with potential investors. Among the issues raised is on the overlapping tenurial instruments, facilitation in the entry of investors and Local Investment Code, community awareness on the MIC Project and disclosure of agricultural practices to be employed by an investor. The roles of the RTWG members were also streamlined and were given emphasis to resolve such issues.

In line with these emerging issues, the newly created RTWG will strengthen the implementation of MIC by conducting stakeholders consultation and dialogues, delineating potential MIC areas, creating a one stop hub for complete and relevant information and checklist of requirements for investors and conducting regular RTWG meetings.

The workshop was attended by representatives from the provincial and municipal local government units of Misamis Oriental and Claveria, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agrarian Reform, Department of Trade and Industry, National Commission on Indigenous People – 10, Philippine Agricultural Development and Commercial Corporation (PADCC) and Department of Agriculture- Regional Field Unit 10 Planning Division. # (VANESSA MAE S. SIANO, DA-RAFID 10)