JAGS-CT infrastructure to lure investments

GLAN, Sarangani (October 14, 2007) – Vital road networks, ports and an economic zone are taking shape within a growth area in southern Philippines close to Indonesia.

Glan Mayor Enrique Yap Jr. said that new infrastructure projects in the Davao del Sur towns of Jose Abad Santos and Sarangani, and Glan in Sarangani province would lure more investments to the growth area.

Yap said the approval of a 25-hectare economic zone in Glan would speed up development in the cluster, officially known as Jose Abad Santos-Glan-Sarangani Cooperation Triangle (JAGS-CT).

The P43-million port in the island municipality of Sarangani (Balut island) has been completed, according to the JAGS-CT secretariat.

Glan was also set to renovate its old trading port following its declaration as limited international port.

Mayor Yap, who chairs JAGS-CT, said construction of the national highway connecting Glan to Jose Abad Santos was halfway through where only a trail under coconut trees was used before.

The mayor said a JAGS-CT resolution has been passed requesting for the immediate release of the P20-million fund to finish the road from Glan to Jose Abad Santos.

In a recent forum here, Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana, chair of Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco), said he had personally followed up the release of the road fund with Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.

Leyretana commended the JAGS officials for their efforts in helping "accelerate the attainment of economic development" of the depressed areas not only in the Philippines but in nearby northern Indonesia as well.

He added that better relations between the two countries should be maintained to facilitate "trade and commerce."

JAGS-CT and Indonesia had forged trade agreements for goods and local products, and traders expect regular shipments when the Glan port is completed.

JAGS-CT is a cluster of southern Philippines towns formed in 2003 in support to the Brunie-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

It aims to increase trade, tourism and investments by enhancing cross-border linkages with the northern provinces of Indonesia .

Mayor Yap said JAGS-CT can prove to other municipalities and countries that smaller growth areas can develop if they just only "cooperate with each other."

He said JAGS-CT is solely run and financed by the local government units of Jose Abad Santos, Glan and Sarangani municipality. (SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE/BCP)