Expanded abaca farming seen to deter marijuana replanting

CEBU, Philippines - There is a tremendous need to expand the Alternative Livelihood Development Program for former marijuana farmers who are now into the cultivation of abaca.

Dangerous Drugs Board vice chairman Clarence Paul Oaminal said that the program is set to be replicated in the cities of Danao and Toledo; and in the municipalities of Alcoy, Dalaguete and Badian where apprehensions of cultivators have repeatedly been reported.

Oaminal made this statement in line with the recent uprooting of hundreds of stalks of fully grown marijuana in the hinterlands of Bukidnon and La Union provinces.

Former marijuana farmers have been receiving technical assistance from the Fiber Industry Development Authority in planting abaca, a species of the banana shrub, which provides raw material in the manufacture of ropes and other related products.

Oaminal, along with FIDA, is optimistic that aside from boosting the fiber industry in the Province of Cebu, the move would further restrain farmers from engaging in the illegal trade.

Oaminal also said that anti-marijuana operations conducted by the police, narcotics agents and soldiers must be complemented by proven alternative livelihood programs for farmers to finally put an end to the vicious cycle of planting and replanting marijuana.

The program is initiated by then DDB chairman Vicente “Tito” Sotto III who gave up the post in his reelection bid for senator come May 10 polls. —Johanna T. Natavio/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)