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| Photo by DTI Sorsogon |
SORSOGON CITY, November 19 (PIA) – The
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Sorsogon in close cooperation with LGU
of Sorsogon City, specifically the office of Agriculture and Tourism conducted
recently a Pili Advocacy, gathering in one venue the pili farmers, producers
and other stakeholders with the objective of promoting Pili and its advocate
for development.
Part of the advocacy is familiarizing the
participants to the astounding 9.58-minute audio-video presentation entitled
“Meet the Pili” which broadened the horizon of Pili. The advocacy material was
also shown in Living Asia Channel for three times in July and also appeared in
the US television screens. Indeed, a much better way to promote Pili.
DTI Provincial Director Leah A. Pagao in
her message said Sorsogon province as the highest supplier of the raw material
of Pili in Bicol region has now developed Pili processors across the province edging
their way not only to the local market but priming for foreign market as well.
“In fact, Tia Berning Pili Candies will soon be available in the Korean market,”
she proudly said.
Pagao further said that Pili would not make
a big hit in the market without the usual backings and support from various
stakeholders.
She took the opportunity to thank Sorsogon
City-LGU through Mayor Leovic Dioneda for fully supporting the efforts of
championing Sorsogon as Pili producer through their various programs,
activities and assistance to the pili farmers.
She also said that for their part, DTI
offered technical programs and services to develop the capability of
entrepreneurs along managerial, skill, marketing and even in accessing credit
for business expansion or transformation.
Furthermore, Pagao narrated that apart from
marketing and promotion activities being conducted by DTI, the Kasanggayahan
Trade Fair 2012 last October highlighted the pili, which is considered the
province’s champion commodity. “Likewise,
the same exposure will be repeated in December this year during the Sosogon
Festival of Sorsogon City,” she added.
Major issues and concerns from the participants
were drawn out during the open forum such as government’s assistance to the
pili farmers, increasing the number of pili trees, wholistic approach to pili
industry or the need for pili development plan, and the support to the micro
pili food processors.
Pili, whose scientific name is Canarum Ovatum is a tropical fruit native
to Bicol and is considered by the Department of Agriculture (DA) the
"flagship commodity" in Bicol region. It is abundant especially in
the area of Albay, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon.
It can be noted that in 1992, the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) reported that Bicol
supplied 82 percent of the National production volume, most of which came from
Sorsogon, this prompted the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) to
declare Sorsogon as the commodity champion for Pili. Moreover, best quality of
pili is found in Sorsogon.
As per record of the Bureau of Agricultural
Statistics (BAS), Sorsogon belongs to the top pili growing provinces in the
country with 3,693.10 metric tons, followed by Albay with 1,818.79 metric tons,
Northern Samar with 782.00, Camarines Sur with 354.96, Quezon with 104.95,
Samar with 101.16, Negros Occidental with 89.98, Eastern Samar with 84.83,
Camarines Norte with 43.00 and Catanduanes with 11.04 metric tons.
Based on Wikipedia, only the Philippines
processed Pili Nuts for commercial purposes. (BARecebido, PIA Sorsogon/MPCaguia,
RPO-DTI)
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