Davao local execs back Tadeco deal

Local executives in Davao del Norte have been urging the government to keep the joint venture agreement signed between the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and Tagum Agricultural Development Co. Inc. (Tadeco) for the lease of a property at the Davao farm and penal colony.

The city and municipal councils as well as the leagues of barangays of Carmen, Braulio Dujali, Panabo, Samal and Sto. Tomas towns backed the position taken by the provincial government.

Gov. Antonio del Rosario earlier expressed support for the BuCor-Tadeco deal that aims to manage the 5,308-hectare banana plantation at the penal reservation.

In a separate resolution, the municipal council of Carmen cited JVA’s role in spurring economic development in the province.

“Banana companies like Tadeco boost the economic activity not only in Carmen but throughout the Davao region. It is one of the factors that made Carmen a first class municipality,” the council said in a resolution.

At least 50 percent of Carmen’s labor force is working in agro-industrial establishments. Of the figure, 70 percent are employed by Tadeco.

The Sangguniang Bayan of Braulio Dujali noted how Tadeco helped develop the towns surrounding the plantation.

The city council of Panabo cited Tadeco’s efforts in rehabilitating the inmates of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm by employing them.