The 8th National Mango Congress: Enhancing global competitiveness
The provinces of Iloilo and Guimaras are blessed with fertile lands ideal for cultivating the sweet golden pear-shaped mangoes. The Department of Agriculture has identified 62 mango growers in the city and province of Iloilo. Statistics show that there are 14,390 fruit bearing and 14,975 non-fruit bearing mango trees giving a total of 29,365.
The Iloilo Mango Growers Cooperative (IMGC), a group with a goal to develop the local mango industry and to unite growers in the Province of Iloilo, has 32 bona fide members since it was organized last May of 2005. There are 8,544 mango trees that are under IMGC. Of which, 4,261 are fruit bearing and the remaining 4,283 are non-fruit bearing. The cooperative is registered with the Cooperative Development Authority since February 16, 2006.
"The international mango industry is more than 1 billion. In fact, the contribution of the yellow mangoes are very minimal. Our total share in the world market is same as that of Pakistan," Mr. Ricardo Provido, RATC Chairman, said in a press conference held at the Oleander Room of the Amigo Terrace Hotel last April 26, 2006. "We have to start talking about the industry and we have to keep on doing certain strategies," he added.
Among those who were present last Wednesday afternoon were: DTI-Iloilo Director Engr. Diosdado Cadena, Jr.; Provincial Agriculturist Zafiro Palabrica; IMGC Board of Directors Fred Telarma, Edwin Brasileño, and Cirilo Lapascua; IMGC Secretary Dr. Victoria Gendrala; Marketing & Promotions Committee Member Sixto Chua; OIC Regional Technical Director DA-RFO6 Ronnie Parohinog; DTI-Guimaras Director Jose Divinagracia; and Guimaras Provincial Agriculturist Ronnie Morante. DTI-R6 Information Officer Ruby Melliza served as the moderator.
The press conference was a prelude to the upcoming 8th National Mango Congress. Iloilo, through IMGC, will be hosting the said event. The Mango Congress will be held at the Amigo Terrace Hotel on May 17 to 19, 2006.
The lead organizers, Philippine Mango Industry Foundation, Inc. (PMIFI) and the Department of Agriculture-RFU 6, joined forces with the Iloilo City Government, Province of Iloilo, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist(Iloilo), Province of Guimaras, Department of Trade and Industry, Bureau of Plant Industry, National Mango Research and Development Center, and DA-GMA-HVCCP. The big event is supported by the government sector through DILG, TESDA, DOST-TAPI and PCCARRD, DOLE, and LBP-Iloilo and by the private sectors like the National Agriculture and Fishery Council, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Center Foundation, ABS-CBN, Philippine Airlines, and Oro Verde Holdings and Development Corporation-Guimaras. The 8th National Mango Congress is sponsored by Sygenta Philippines and Bayer Philippines.
This year's theme: "Enhancing the global competitiveness of the Philippine Mango" targets to provide a venue for growers to effectively find solutions to the issues affecting the mango industry. Mango growers, buyers, exporters, processors, input suppliers, and Local Government Units (LGUs) specifically the Provincial and Municipal Agriculturists from different regions are expected to participate and exchange ideas.
The three-day Congress is packed with activities. In the first two days, plenary sessions on Status and Directions of the Philippine Mango Industry, Mango Propagation and Field Establishment, Improved Cultural Management for Bearing Trees, Investment Forum for Western Visayas, Post-harvest Handling of Mango, and Fruit Processing will take place.
On May 17 and 18, there will also be an exhibit of Agro-chemical Companies, Mango Processing Machinery and Equipment, Ilonggo Delicacies, Fresh Mangoes, Souvenir Items, and Bagging (Mango) Materials.
A field trip to Guimaras will highlight the last day. The tour will include a glimpse of the Manggahan Festival, a Tour to the Oro Verde Mango Plantation and to the Dole Mango Plantation (Mango Picking; Pick and Pay), a visit to the National Mango Research and Development Center (Briefing on Research Activities and Packing House), and a stop-over to the famous Our Lady of the Philippines Trappist Monastery (Processing Plant).
Registration fee, inclusive of conference kit, hand-outs, Certificate of Attendance, lunch and snacks, copy of the souvenir program, and transportation expense for the field trip to Guimaras, costs P2,500.
For inquiries, kindly call the DTI-Iloilo at (033) 337-0392 or (033) 509-8222 and look for Ms. Judith Degala; DA-RFU6 through Ms. Arlene Escuadra at (033) 337-1018 or (033) 337-9092 ; Ms. Fe Carumba of PPDO-Iloilo Provincial Government at (033) 335-8008.