PROVINCIAL NEWS FEATURES

:: AUMENTADO URGES STRONGER RP-CHINA TIES

CHANGCHUN CITY, CHINA, - Gov. Erico B. Aumentado, League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) president, called for a stronger RP-China ties of friendship, amity and cooperation as he hailed the booming economy of the latter country, once known as the “sleeping giant of Asia.” Aumentado made this statement on behalf of the Philippine delegation to the 5th China Changchun International Agriculture and Foodstuffs (Trade) Fair last Monday night at the testimonial dinner for the delegation hosted by Gov. Hung Hu of the Jilin Provincial People’s Government at the Majestic Governor’s Mansion here. Aumentado led to toast for a stronger RP-China relationship. He said that there is a need of such stronger relationship in the light of the recent geo-politics in Asia and China’s emergence as an economic dragon which has shown its goodwill to help the Philippines develop its agriculture, especially in the areas of hybrid rice and hybrid corn for its food security and economic development.

The Bohol chief executive noted that China posted the highest gross domestic product (GDP) of 10.2 in the last three years, backed up by a very strong agricultural sector. He said the Philippines, including Bohol, now has utilized the Chinese technology on hybrid rice and hybrid corn. This highly successful technology on rice and corn will, undoubtedly, enhance Bohol’s economy. Earlier on, Gov. Hung challenged the Philippine delegation to follow China’s hybridization program for rice and corn to improve the country’s economy at these critical times. He said that Jilin produces 70 percent of China’s domestic and export requirements for corn despite the fact that it plants and harvests the staple only once every year.

He committed to help the Philippines improve the quality of life of its people. The Jilin governor also said that China values a strong relationship with the Philippines and the provinces which have propagated the Chinese hybrid corn and hybrid rice.
Responding to the Chinese governor’s declaration, Aumentado suggested for Jilin’s sisterhood agreement with the provinces of Bohol, Nueva Ecija, South Cotabato and Tarlac, which are the key proponents of the rice and corn hybridization program in the country.

The Philippine delegation underwent a grueling and hectic schedule which started with the opening of the Changchun international agricultural fair on Aug. 15. The schedule included visitations to the Jilin Fuel Alcohol Factory that has used hybrid corn as the raw material, the Fuhua Hybrid Corn Seed Base, Daeching Corn Starch Factory and the Haoyue Group modern abattoir and supermarket, which are all considered as the biggest in Asia, located in various parts of Jilin province.The Philippine delegation also visited the imperial palace of Puyi, the last emperor of China who was installed as a puppet of Japan when it occupied Manchuria and Machoco, now known as Jilin Province and Changchun City, respectively. The palace is Jilin’s number one tourist attraction; while the international agri-fair has been Changchun’s main tourism activity for five years now. Over a million people visited the 5th China Changchun International Agriculture and Foodstuffs (Trade) Fair to view the display of agricultural products and foodstruffs, according to Gov. Hung.

The Philippine delegation also explored the possibility of cultural and tourism exchanges between China and the Philippines. The Philippine delegation, headed by Ambassador to China Willy Ga-a, with Department of Agriculture undersecretary Teresa Capellan as deputy head, was invited to attend the 5th China Changchun International Agriculture and Foodstuffs (Trade) Fair by Mr. Liu Ye, president of the Fuhua International Industrial Group (China) Co. Ltd.

The Philippines 47-member delegation was composed of the DA representatives led by Philippine Agricultural attaché to China – Mr. William Kho, the business sector headed by Dr, Alberto Fenix Jr. of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the local government units headed by Aumentado, with governors Tomas Joson III of Nueva Ecija, Daisy A. Fuentes of South Cotabato, Jose B. Yap of Tarlac, Benjamin Loong of Sulu, Cong. Edwin Uy of Isabela, Mayors Blas Canlas, Verayo, Carmelo Lazatin and Negros Oriental provincial agriculturist Igmedio Tabyanan as members.