Three disputed roads reopened
DAVAO DEL NORTE — Three contested provincial roads within the plantation of Tagum Development Corporation (Tadeco) were officially reopened Thursday morning. This came after a compromise agreement signed on Wednesday by Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib and Tadeco representatives led by former congressman Anton Lagdameo at the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) headquarters here. The contested roads are located in the towns of Braulio E. Dujali and Sto. Tomas and within the property of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). Jubahib earlier complained that Tadeco’s road barriers, established since 2015, had effectively sealed off the government property from public traffic. Tadeco denied this, saying it merely installed the gates to ensure that motorists and passersby comply with the biosecurity measures to protect its banana plantation
from plant diseases. MinDA Sec. Emmanuel Piñol, who facilitated the mediation between the two parties, said he was elated with the compromise agreement. “We are happy that we were able to resolve this problem because it poses a great impact not only in our economy, the people of Davao del Norte but for Mindanao as well,” Piñol said. Piñol said the dollar-earning commodity in the province will be directly affected if the road dispute is not resolved. “You have to understand that cavendish banana is our biggest commodity right now and it is facing challenges such as Fusarium wilt, we will not neglect this matter,” he said. Jubahib also thanked Piñol and other parties for understanding the stand of the provincial government. The governor insisted that politics was not behind the move to reopen the roads but was compelled by public demand for greater access on vital passageways. “They (the residents) will no longer need a gate pass in passing these roads. They can use this 24/7,” he said. He also assured Tadeco that they will see to it that the biosecurity facilities will not be affected by the road opening. Jubahib said the provincial government will deploy agriculturists to further ensure the banana plantations are protected from diseases. “We will add more biosecurity facilities in other areas. This is to ensure that our bananas will be free from threats of Fusarium wilt,” Jubahib added. Meanwhile, Lagdameo vowed that Tadeco will work closely with the provincial government and adhere to its thrust in helping the communities. “We will work together and all will be resolved. We will always be here to help the PLGU (provincial government) and the communities,” Lagdameo added.