2011 brought total investment of P1.78 billion to Agusan del Norte

By Robert E. Roperos

Monday 25th of June 2012

BUTUAN CITY, June 25 (PIA) -- Agusan del Norte Governor Erlpe John Amante recently said in his report to the province, the year 2011 brought unprecedented growth, as evidenced by the total investment inflow of P1.78 billion, considered as the highest in Caraga Region. “This more than doubled the P700 million investments in 2010,” he added.

Amante said the international trade policy negotiation, industry, and MSME development and investment promotion services have contributed to the giant leap in the province’s economy.

“Businesses have flourished as well, as reflected by the increase in the number of establishment registered which rose from 1,754 in 2010 to 2,172 in 2011,” Amante said.

The official further stressed that the increase in trade and investments consequently brought the number of jobs generated at 12,586 in 2011 from 5,489 in 2010.

Amante added that the year in review also posted positive increase in export-generated trade and investments at $15.34 million – more than tripling the previous year’s $4.982 million exports.

The Governor of the province also pointed out that the local enterprise endeavor in the same vein has started to reap a good harvest where cash income in 2011 was P4.26 million, or a 190% increase from 2010. “The highest contributor was the co-management program which earned for the province some P1 million,” he said.

Amante emphasized further that all economic indicators are pointing to Agusan del Norte as the undisputed economic leader in the region, thus inviting the investors to invest in the province. “I welcome investors all over the world to invest in Agusan del Norte. This is the right and the ripe time,” he said.

Furthermore, Amante stressed that while annual palay production declined in 2010, it nevertheless bounded back in 2011 from 68,000 metric tons to more than 70,000 metric tons.

He added the increase in palay production is attributed to the increasing use of certified palay seeds and the availability of financial assistance for rice farmers.

The province’s chief executive explained the yield per hectare was 4.2 metric tons per hectare for irrigated rice fields and 3.9 metric tons per hectare for rain-fed rice fields.

Aside from the palay, the province’s corn production has also grown steadily and as of 2011, yield per hectare was already 3.5 metric tons per hectare.

Because of these accomplishments, Amante conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the 9,500 farmers and fisher folks, saying that without them, the cited productions would not have been made possible. (RER-PIA 13 Caraga)