If elected president, Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso said he intends to showcase the island province of Guimaras as a template for food sufficiency so that the other provinces will be able to replicate its achievements.
Speaking to reporters following his courtesy call on Guimaras Gov. Samuel Gumarin at the provincial capitol, Moreno said he was impressed by how the planned development of the island province prioritized and achieved food sufficiency for its population of close to 200,000.
Guimaras is well known for its agricultural crops, particularly mangoes, where some 50,000 trees are planted. The province is famous for producing some of the sweetest mangoes in the world and has earned the nickname “Mango Capital of the Philippines” from local and foreign tourists.
“Ang isang napag-kwentuhan namin ni Governor kanina, nakakatuwa na ang isang isla katulad ng Guimaras nagpapadala pa ng pagkain sa labas ng isla,” told reporters during an interview in this Western Visayan province known for its export-quality sweet mangoes.
“So, ibig sabihin magandang maging modelo ang Guimaras sa food sufficiency. They produce their own rice, in fact sobra pa nga. They reserve for the summer tapos nagpapadala pa sila sa Iloilo.”
“So, that’s one food basket. Then, proper zoning. Meron silang ecozone, gateway zone, food basket zone, and tourism zone. Iyan ‘yung kini-kwento ni Governor kanina. Tapos they produce their own electricity through renewable energy at nasu-sustain nila ang kanilang utility,” revealed the 47-year-old presidential candidate.
Guimaras is well known for its agricultural crops, particularly mangoes, where some 50,000 trees are planted. The province is famous for producing some of the sweetest mangoes in the world and has earned the nickname “Mango Capital of the Philippines” from local and foreign tourists.
“May dawalang magandang high-value crop: kasoy at mangga. In fact, may biro-biro nga dito na ‘yung foreigner daw kumain ng mangga Guimaras eh hindi na binalatan kasi pati balat daw matamis,” Moreno jokingly said.
Moreno continued: “So, imagine a country can be proud of a particular product throughout the world, I mean gusto ng mundo, mamahalin ng mundo. So, ito yung mga bagay na magandang pagtuunan ng pansin ng gobyerno. But it’s the other way around. Gawin siyang magandang ehemplo kasi alam naman natin 7,100 islands, archipelagic country tayo. So, if Guimaras can do it, I think it can be duplicated in other islands.”
“So, if Guimaras can do it, I think it can be duplicated in other islands.”
Moreno lauded Gumarin and the other officials for taking good care of their constituents as he thanked them for the warm welcome they accorded to him and the rest of the Aksyon Demokratiko candidates.
He reiterated his commitment to give priority to helping farmers and boosting agriculture under his “Life and Livelihood” agenda if he wins the election.
With Guimaras Island being a favored destination by both foreign and domestic tourists due to its picturesque beaches, waterfalls, and springs, the Manila mayor further said his administration will prioritize the tourism and transportation industries to be able to provide more jobs for the country’s citizens.