P100-M agri lab to rise in Davao CityBy Antonio L. Colina IVDAVAO CITY — A one-stop-shop laboratory facility to further promote research and development in Davao region’s agriculture industry will soon rise in Davao City. FRESH LETTUCE — Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pinol inspects the quality and price of lettuce and other highland vegetables during his visit to the Benguet AgriPinoy Trading Post in La Trinidad, Benguet, recently. (Zaldy C. Comanda) mb.com.phAgriculture secretary Manny Piñol announced plans to construct a P100 million laboratory facility in Bago Oshiro in Tugbok District here that will handle plant disease, animal disease, water and soil analysis. Piñol added that the banana industry levies over P6 billion annually in taxes, provides a total of P150 billion worth of investments and employs 540,000 workers. The move follows President Rodrigo Duterte’s vocal support for the creation of a Banana Industry Development Council to oversee the development, research and marketing of Philippine bananas, considered the second biggest foreign currency earner of the country next to coconut.

Source: Manila Bulletin October 10, 2016 05:37 UTC