Sunday, November 28, 2004 TAGUM CITY, PHILIPPINES -- Frequently floodedtowns in Davao del Norte have great potential for palm oil production.

This was the assessment of visiting palm oil buyers from Agusan, who saidthe towns of Kapalong, Asuncion, San Isidro, and Santo Tomas also holdpromise.

"Nakita nila nga pwede kaayo himoong palm oil farm ang riverside fromCarmen to San Isidro. (They saw that the riverside from Carmen to SanIsidro can be maximized as palm oil farms)," Davao del Norte ProvincialAgriculturist Dominador Encarnacion said.

These areas along the river are said to be idle lands washed by frequentfloods frequently that visit these municipalities.

Town officials have long been looking for crops that suit their soil andcan withstand floods.

"We were told that this crop is best for these towns. Kasi kahit isanglingo na ang baha, mabubuhay pa rin ito (Even if floods last a week, thisplant will survive)," Encarnacion said.

Davao del Norte Governor Gelacio Gementiza welcomed the idea of convertingthese idle lands for palm oil production.

After being visited by the palm oil buyers, Gementiza consulted with thelocal government executives of Kapalong, Asuncion, and San Isidro and gota positive reaction from them.

Local executives of Carmen, Braulio Dujali and Sto. Tomas are alsoexpected to give the industry a try.

Encarnacion said the palm oil buyers will be back for site assessment andvalidation.