DAR mulls agri-dev't zone in northern Antique
Iloilo -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) eyes six towns in the northern part of the province of Antique to become Agrarian Reform Zones.
DAR assistant regional director for operation Manuel Libo-on said the blue print for the Agrarian Reform Zone is already in the national office. The Agrarian Reform Zone includes the towns of Barbaza, Tibiao, Culasi, Sebaste, Pandan and Libertad.
He said in the proposed project, the agricultural produce of the six towns will be transported into different areas in the country through the roll-on and roll-off ports. At present, the Lipata port in Culasi and San Jose port are being used as transhipment point in the province. The Lipata port is the gateway from Mindoro, Romblon and Manila while San Jose port is the docking area of sea vessels from Palawan and Manila.
The six towns produce rice, corn and aquamarine products. They want the town of Culasi to become the center of industrialization in the northern part of Antique. The development in the towns of Pandan and Tibiao could spill all over Western Visayas, said Libo-on.
In the same plan, telephone and other means of communications should be mobilized in order to fastrack the business climate in the six towns. All barangays will also be energized.
However, the future of the northern towns of Antique lies with its leaders namely, Gov. Sally Perez, Cong. Exequiel Javier and their fellow supporters, observed Libo-on.
Libo-on said too much politics could affect the development of the province.