Livelihood beyond politics
TAGUM CITY — Davao del Norte celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, with this city serving as its capital since 1967 when the original Davao Province (now Region XI or the Davao Region) was split into three: Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s father Vicente was the last provincial governor of a unified Davao, which occupied one-fifth of the entire Mindanao Island. In 1998, the province of Compostela Valley was spun off from Davao del Norte, while Davao Occidental was created in 2013 as the country’s 81st and newest province, carved out from Davao del Sur’s second district.
Divided into two legislative districts, Davao del Norte comprises three cities and eight municipalities. District 1 is composed of Tagum City and the towns of Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella, San Isidro, and Talaingod. Making up District 2 are Panabo City and the Island Garden City of Samal as well as the towns of Braulio Dujali, Carmen, and Santo Tomas.
Over at the House of Representatives, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Rep. Antonio Floirendo, Jr. represent the first and second districts, respectively. These erstwhile allies have been feuding the past few months after a personal spat turned into a congressional investigation initiated by the House Speaker against the Floirendo-owned Tagum Agricultural Development Co., Inc. (Tadeco).
Their main point of contention is the joint venture agreement (JVA) between Tadeco and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) under the Department of Justice (DoJ), involving the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) in Panabo City, specifically a 5,308-hectare banana plantation within the 8,000-hectare DPPF reservation.
Davao del Norte’s provincial board members expressed their support for the JVA’s implementation of a rehab program for inmates and the improvement of livelihood for about 181,000 residents of the province. Last week, they issued Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Resolution No. 364 stating that Tadeco has provided the skills that will enable the inmates “to eventually reintegrate into society as productive and responsible citizens.”
In the three-page resolution approved by Gov. Antonio del Rosario, the SP stated: “The JVA rehabilitation program has brought pride to the province of Davao del Norte because its success is well-known in the entire Philippine penal system. As a matter of fact, BuCor wanted it replicated in its Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan.”
An earlier resolution sponsored by majority of the SP members that was unanimously adopted last June 19 cited the significance of Tadeco’s operations to the lives of Dabawenyos and enjoined all local government units (LGUs) in the province to support the JVA.
LGU officials from neighboring towns have also come forward to back the BuCor-Tadeco deal that would expire by 2029, based on a 25-year renewal approved by two DoJ chiefs during the Arroyo administration.
The municipality of Asuncion, which is part of District 1, passed Sanggunian Bayan Resolution No. 2017-148 last July 11 supporting the JVA because of its “huge contributions to the economy of the neighboring cities and municipalities within the Davao Region.”
According to Mayor Eufracio Dayaday, “a lot of Asuncion residents are employed in Tadeco” which has helped not only the economy of District 2, but also Mr. Alvarez’s district in terms of direct and indirect employment. He pointed out that the “overwhelming support of the officials of Asuncion is in the belief that the JVA had been reviewed by at least six past DoJ secretaries of several past presidencies.”
Asuncion Vice-Mayor Joel Camello said: “Beyond politics, the existence of Tadeco helps the economy both locally and at the national level in jobs, taxes, and dollar reserves, and rehabilitates inmates in the penal colony. While other banana plantations were shut down due to complex problems thereby dislocating employees and causing loss of taxes and other economic opportunities, here we have Tadeco that keeps international quality standards, complies with wage standards, and gives additional benefits to employees.”
From the municipality of New Corella, Councilor Virgelio Getezo opined: “It cannot be denied that Tadeco for so many years helped float the local economy particularly of the whole Davao del Norte. It is but also fitting that we shield Tadeco from a great challenge of being legally questioned.”
Talaingod Councilor Romy Nepa is worried about the current situation, saying: “Even in our municipality, we have employees in Tadeco and some hold juicy positions. What will happen to our residents if the Tadeco-BuCor JVA is canceled?”
With the opening of the 17th Congress’ second regular session today, we will soon find out what’s in store for the people of DavNor whose livelihoods are being threatened by factional infighting.