Palawan provincial board members are proposing to declare Bataraza and Brookes Point towns as centers for pineapple and coconut production, respectively.
Board Member Ryan Maminta in a separate proposed ordinance said that Bataraza is home to the pineapple plantations with a land area of 580 hectares dedicated to it.
He said the Pineapple Festival every third week of July will also be an official celebration to promote the industry.
Maminta said the ordinance will hasten the economic development of the town and uplift the lives of the people.
“A provincial declaration will help in the promotion of agricultural productivity for coconut and pineapple in Brooke’s Point and Bataraza. It will also recognize the toils and sacrifices of farmers and their families in both municipalities. The declaration will also recognize the festivals being conducted to promote local tourism, livelihood opportunities and sustainable agricultural practices related to coconut and pineapple farming,” he said.
Board Member Cesario Benedito, in a separate ordnance, said Brooke’s Point is the top contributor of the coconut industry covering 33 percent of the total production.
A total of 22,790.25 hectares in the town is planted with coconut, he said.
Benedito, a former vice mayor of the town, also said the proposed measure is in accordance with the Municipal Ordinance No. 2007-06, calling Pista Y ang Kaniyogan as the official celebration
“Pinakamalaking coconut land area ay nasa Brooke’s Point at majority ng source of income ng ating mga kababayan ay mula sa niyog. Mayroon na rin kaming Pista Y ang Kaniyogan doon at nangangahulugan lang na ‘yon na ang identity ng bayan. Para sa akin ay panahon na rin para i-declare na coconut capital ang Brooke’s Point,” he said.
