USWAG Sarangani launches first business park

MALUNGON, Sarangani (July 4, 2008) – Sarangani celebrates Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMED) week with the launching of its first business park and other local investments.

USWAG - which stands for Unified, Strong, Wealthy And Globally competitive Sarangani - recognizes local initiatives for investment and aims to strengthen provincial SMEs.

"This business park is our contribution to this drive," barangay captain Emiliano Tuazon said at the launch of Alferas Business and Leisure Park and blessing ceremony of the One Town One Product (OTOP) Display Center at the park Wednesday (July 2).

"We want to make Alferas the commercial, leisure and residential township of Malungon and the province," said Tuazon.

Alferas (not Alferaz as earlier reported) is a native term for limestone. The 24-hectare land is largely limestone. It is located at sitio Rancho, barangay Nagpan, along the General Santos-Davao national highway in Malungon.

The Blaan indigenous people are natives to the hinterlands of Malungon.

The municipal government funded the project with P372,000 for its initial land development.

The provincial government through Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon has donated seven street lamps for the park's beautification.

"We hope that our beginning will grow and set as an example on how to tap local investments," Tuazon said.

Tuazon said at least ten investors have pledged in a P1 million development fund for the park.

"In the next four to five years we hope to invest up to P30 million in ground facilities, building, equipment and other structures," Tuazon added. "This can generate at least 300 jobs."

"I always act in support to the development of our municipality," Mayor Reynaldo Constantino said.

"This is the most dangerous part of Malungon before but we will convert this area into a paradise," the mayor said.

At the USWAG business night Tuesday (July 1), Governor Migs Dominguez told guests "it is always our vision that government cannot build its province alone."

"It's the private sector that builds this province forward and become its active partners," the governor said.

From zero tourists in 2004, Sarangani has posted 30,000 tourist arrivals by 2005 and has 350,000 tourists by 2007 with the help of the private sector.

On Wednesday (July 2), a Memorandum of Agreement was also signed between the Association of Sarangani Quality Producers (ASAP) represented by vice president Perla Ampodia, DTI provincial director Nenita Barroso, and Alferas Manager Marilyn Cejar.

The parties agreed to establish and operate the OTOP Display Center at Sitio Rancho Business Park which aims to showcase, exhibit, display, and sell OTOP products of SMEs.

Priority shall be accorded products from the seven component municipalities of Sarangani province. The Center shall also be opened to OTOP products from other towns in South Cotabato – Sultan Kudarat – Sarangani – General Santos (SOCSKSARGEN) Region. (Russtum G. Pelima/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)