Sarangani to host national mango congress

ALABEL, Sarangani (July 4, 2011) – The Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc. (PMIFI) has accepted and approved the bid of the Sarangani Foundation of Fruits Industry Associations Inc.(SAFFIA) to host the 13th National Mango Congress on September 28-30.

The congress venue will be at Isla Jardin del Mar Resort in Gumasa, Glan.

PMIFI and SAFFIA have signed a Memorandum of Agreement to bind themselves to their respective duties and responsibilities in the conduct of the 13th National Mango Congress.

According to Department of Agriculture Administrative Order #6, the government shall encourage the participation of farmers and fisher folks, cooperatives and associations and other private sector in agricultural and fisheries development.

“It is also the desire of the Provincial Government to strengthen and empower all people’s organizations like SAFFIA to pursue economic development activities in support to all investment promotion and sustainable tourism, agriculture and fishery sectors,” said Governor Migs Dominguez in an executive order creating the executive and working committees in support to the mango congress.

The committees were created to coordinate and manage activities of the event to ensure its success.

The executive committee is chaired by the governor, to be represented by provincial administrator Vic Camacho, and co-chaired by SAFFIA president Fred Dumasis. Its members are Glan Mayor Victor James Yap Sr., agriculture regional director Amalia Jayag-Datukan, trade and industry regional director Ibrahim Guiamadel, Sarangani Board Member Hermie Galzote, PMIFI president Virginia dela Fuente and Celso Alejo Enriquez of Growth with Equity in Mindanao.

The steering committee is headed by Rodel Manara, SMIDC president, while the working committee chairs are: program – Federico Cutamora, BSO specialist of GEM; secretariat and invitation – Fred Dumasis; ways and means – Edmundo Cejar, SAFFIA board member; demo farm and technology showcase – Jonathan Duhaylungsod, provincial agriculturist; souvenir program – Ginalyn Cachuela, project manager of ADPO-PMU; transport, tours and accommodation – Michelle Lopez-Solon, chair of the Regional Tourism Council; agri-fair exhibit and trade show – Nenita Barroso, DTI provincial director; publicity and promotion – Nelly Ylanan, chief of RAFID, DA; resolutions – Virginia dela Fuente, PMIFI president; security and safety – PSSupt. Florendo Quidilla Jr, provincial PNP director; venue and physical arrangement – Charlemagne Delfino, SARTIA president; and strengthening of mango stakeholders – Federico Cutamora. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)