SOUTHERN PALAWAN. Chinese investors are encouraging the provincial government of Palawan to look into the possibility of building an international airport in the southern part of the province after expressing interest to farm herbs and spices there. File photo shows the rich agricultural land of Brooke's Point. (Photo by Celeste Anna R. Formoso)
SAN VICENTE, Palawan -- Chinese investors are keen on venturing into the farming of herbs and spices in southern Palawan provided the provincial government builds an international airport in the area.
Governor Jose Alvarez revealed this Thursday at a media conference in San Vicente following the inauguration in the town of a new PHP62.7 million airport with Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
“In southern Palawan, there’s an area that is three to four hours drive, where Chinese investors are proposing to farm spices that are used in adobo or humba, like laurel,” he said. But he did not name the town where the international airport might be constructed.
Chinese cuisine is popular for using various herbs and spices such as star anise, cassia or cinnamon, cloves, laurel, and sesame seed among others, to vary food flavors.
Alvarez said this is why the provincial government is also looking at the possibility of constructing an international airport in the southern area.
Meanwhile, Tugade expressed support for the development of the regional air transportation in southern Palawan, saying they are also assessing other sites in Palawan where other airports could also be built for connectivity and interoperability.
“Yes, we will support the thrust of this (Palawan’s) government,” said Tugade, as the thrust of the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte is to bring infrastructure development to provinces where it is needed.
In recent months, a number of Chinese investors have expressed interest in venturing in aquaculture in Palawan, particularly in the rearing of high-value export commodity fish.
The proposed sites are located in barangays Sta. Lucia and Binduyan in Puerto Princesa, the towns of Coron and San Vicente in northern Palawan, and Narra and Quezon in the south. (PNA)
