DAVAO CITY —- The 19-month road rift involving three contested roads inside the Davao Penal Farm, Davao del Norte officials and Tagum Agricultural Development Corporation Inc. (TADECO), has officially come to an end with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Tuesday night, October 22.
The agreement was brokered by Mindanao Development Authority (MiNDA) chair Emmanuel Piñol, after two failed attempts by the provincial government to re-open the roads involving public clamor for road access involving three areas in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte.
The MOA highlighted the bio-security and road access was signed by and between between Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, TADECO Vice President Zeuss Vadil and Benhur Pantaleon representing BuCor director general Gerald Bantag, was witnessed by Provincial Administrator Josie Jean Rabanos, Industrial-ANFLO Group President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo and Jacob Castro of Davao Prison and Penal Farm.
Further, the MOA allows the re-opening of provincial roads for residents and workers to traverse the roads at the junctions of Balagunan, Bugtong Lubi and Tanglaw, all of Sto. Tomas town, without sacrificing the bio-security protocols as tire dip and foot bath.
The MOA also highlights the following agreement:
- That, motorists and residents will no longer be allowed to present identification cards, gate pass and the likes, but shall be subjected to bio-security procedure to protect the industry from possible spread of industry related disease like Panama disease;
- That, aside from the company guards, personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, will also be stationed at the ingress and egress of the identified roads 24/7;
- That, cases filed before the courts against Jubahib and other provincial government officials and employees are deemed withdrawn;
Piñol claimed that he was instructed by President Rodrigo and Senator Bong Go to come up with a win-win solution on the road rift. Series of dialogues were held until the MOA was arrived.
Jubahib in an interview said he is happy that the concerns of the residents have been addressed.
The MOA signing, according to Jubahib is a manifestation of all parties concerned to provide healthy economy and convenience to stakeholders. “Ang goal sa province, i-protect and industriya kay mao nay naghatag og kwarta sa nasud, ug mahatag ang agi-anan sa katawhan, ug kining tanan naa sa MOA, maong nalipay ko, (The goal of the province is to protect the industry, which provides income to the nation, and to provide access to the people, it is embodied in the MOA, a reason why I am happy)” Jubahib said.
Vadil of Tadeco said, he is happy that Jubahib agreed not to destroy the bio-security facilities since it is important for the protection of bananas in the area. Meanwhile, Lagdameo said that such move to resolve the said conflict by all parties involved engenders good business climate in the province.-Armand B. Fenequito Jr.
