Palawan sees Banggi as Sabah’s ‘protein capital’
PUERTO PRINCESA: Palawan is more than willing to work closely with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman to make Banggi as the protein capital of Sabah.
“Venturing into mass planting of Napier grass on the island of Banggi with proper and close coordination and cooperation with neighbouring Palawan Province will surely help achieve this noble goal,” Palawan Governor Jose C. Alvarez told his Sabahan visitors during a courtesy call on the latter’s office in Puerto Princesa Thursday.
He said Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) commonly referred to as elephant grass was a popular fodder crop for small scale dairy farmers in the high and medium potential dairy production areas of Kenya under the cut and carry system of production.
He said it was a fast growing, deeply rooted, perennial grass growing up to four metres tall that could spread by underground stems to form thick ground cover.
Napier is easy to establish and persistent, drought tolerant, suitable for cutting and very good for silage making.
Napier grass is a high yielding fodder crop with good palatability, highly nutritious especially when young, dark green leaves and less than one metre tall, he told the visitors led by Cement Industry Sabah chairman Datuk Samsudin Yahya and Kudat BEBC vice-chairman Datuk James Inrahim.
The governor added: “It is also used as a soil stabilizer in soil conservation methods and can be inter-cropped with various forage legumes.
“I am willing to suggest to Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman to seriously consider Banggi Island to plant Napier grass and convert the place as the main source for food for animals like cattle and goats in particular .... my province is more than willing to work together with our neighbouring Kudat in many aspects,” he assured.
With the realisation of the noble project, Alvarez said Sabah was not far from becoming also a halal animal meat supplier for the region if not Palawan alone.
At the same time, prices of cows and goats both in the ‘Land Below The Wind’ and the ‘Philippine’s Last Ecological Frontier’ will dip and be affordable to everybody especial during festive celebrations.
He said it would also create job opportunities for the locals in the island apart from additional venues for Sabah.
“Surely this project is a win-win situation for Sabahans and Palaweneos,” he said.
On the much awaited Kudat-Palawan connectivity mega project, Alvarez informed the visitors that the launching of the RollOn Roll-Off ferry service will be launched during the first week of December.
He said preparations for the grand launching programme were now being finalised by the staff of the provincial government .
He said prominent and VVIP government officials, businessmen, and other special dignitaries in the country as well as neighbouring Sabah would be invited to attend the very important and colourful ceremony.
Once operational, he said Sabah visitors would be at liberty to bring their respective vehicles while in Palawan for holidays or business purposes.
The ferry service designed to accommodate some 300 passengers will also cater for the needs of businessmen and traders in terms of huge cargo movements.
“I am very much pleased with the desire demonstrated by Datuk Samsudin and his company in the willingness to help facilitate the numerous development of the province by way of supplying us with affordable and quality cement,” he said.
He said Palawan would continue to open its doors to Sabah, especially businessmen, traders, SME’s and other players wishing to come to the province as suppliers, investors, developers and others.
Reacting to Alvarez’s warm hospitality and sincere gesture to work closely with Sabah, Samsudin said CIS would continue to response positively to the invitations by Palawan.
“With the proven capability and efficiency of our seasoned leader Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman, I personally believe that the harmonious relationships between Sabah and Palawan will continue to be strengthen now and in the future.
“Palawan is a beautiful place to visit and its environment is conducive for businessmen,” he said.
Hence, Samsudin reminded Sabahans to seriously consider the place as another alternative for business investments and for expansion purposes.
“The Palaweneos as well as its elected governor and other politicians and businessmen are friendly and very helpful and accommodating. There are lots of business opportunities that Palawan is offering to us and let’s make full use of the situation,” he said.