2.3.1. Emerging Issues and Concerns

3.1.1.1    Agriculture

Agricultural Crop

Food self-sufficiency and Food Security

Domestic production of palay in Zamboanga City is not enough to meet the needs of the current population. Furthermore, considering current trends in area planted to palay and yield per hectare, projected domestic production would not be enough to meet the needs of the projected population. Nonetheless, the population is assured of a regular supply of palay by the neighboring cities and province. While food self-sufficiency is a major concern, food security is not a pressing issue in Zamboanga City.

Considering the data on demand for palay vis-à-vis production in 1993, the City is short by about one-third of its requirement. By the year 2021, if the current production level of about 3.3 mt/ha will be sustained, the area harvested to palay has to be tripled if the intention is food self-sufficiency. This is not realistic given the difficulties of developing the potentially irrigable lands and the conversion of some of the irrigated rice lands.

At this point, there should be no illusion that the City will be able to meet its food requirements in terms of palay. The City will always be a net importer of palay or rice from the neighboring cities and provinces.

            Inadequacy of Support Services to Farmers

Critical among these support services includes farm-to-market roads, post harvest facilities, farm machinery and equipment, and research and development (R&D) support. These are the service identified by the key informants as critical to increasing productivity of major crops in the City.

            Expansion of Agricultural Crops Production

The City is a coconut producing area since some 40,939 hectares of land are planted to coconut. This area, though, is declining through the years. Other major crops in the city include banana (3,308), cassava (1,894 hectares), coffee (951 hectares), mango (480hectares), and rubber (374 hectares).

            Aside from the potential expanding agricultural crop production both in the East and West

            Coast areas, there is great potential in terms   of processing of these major crops.

            Among the crops identified for processing include mango, durian, cassava.

            Rehabilitation of Irrigation Facilities and Development of Irrigable Lands

            There are irrigated lands, which would require rehabilitation at this point in time. The  

            Rehabilitation of these farms would augment current productivity levels of some rice farms.

            Furthermore, some 22,000 hectares of land have been identified as potentially irrigable.

These are the areas, which could be irrigated if the seven watershed areas of the city will be preserved.

            Land Use Conversion

Conversion of agricultural lands to non-agricultural uses poses a threat to food production in the City. This is critical given the conversion of prime agricultural lands, i.e.,

             Irrigate rice lands in the City to residential and industrial uses.

            Poor Performance of Farmers’ Cooperatives

The land bank of the Philippines has documented that the farmers’ cooperatives that they are serving are characterized by poor performance. This implies the need to strengthen these cooperatives (there are presently 53 registered cooperatives) If the intention is to utilize them as implementers of various development projects of both the government and non-government organizations.

 Livestock and Poultry

Livestock and poultry include large ruminants primarily cattle and small ruminants such as goats, swine, chicken and ducks.

Low Value Added From Livestock and Poultry

There is a low value added in poultry and livestock because products are sold in raw form. This is partly because of the absence of processing plants in the City. This implies the relative importance of putting up meat processing plants and slaughterhouses in the City.

Inadequacy of Support Services for Livestock and Poultry Production

Among the support services identified by the livestock and poultry farmers include adequate stocks of cattle fatteners and breeders, infrastructure support (e.g., farm-to-market roads), provision of technical assistance, and market matching between growers and market outlets/processors (e.g., contract growing).

Establishment of Feed mills for Poultry and Livestock Production

It has been cited that the establishment of feed mills in the City will be advantageous to the livestock and poultry raisers. This is because the farmers will be able to avail of cheaper feeds. Moreover, their dependence on feeds coming from Cebu City and other neighboring towns and provinces will be lessened.

A related issue here, though, would be the enhancement of corn production in the City to be able to provide abundant supply of raw materials for the feed mills.

Production of “Halal” Food for the BIMP-EAGA

The City has great potential in terms of producing “halal” chicken for the EAGA market. This could be done among commercial and backyard raisers of broiler chicken in the City.

 Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

There is a decline in the production from municipal fishing. Partly, this is being attributed to the encroachment of big vessels on the municipal waters.

Illegal Fishing Activities

Some of the illegal fishing activities in the City include the use of “hulbot-hulbot”, “purse seiner”, and the use of super light with high voltage. These illegal fishing practices lead to the destruction of the marine resources in the City.

Provision of Livelihood Activities for Fishing Communities

Given the very limited income from municipal fishing operations, it is imperative top provide alternative livelihood activities to fishing communities in the City.

Information Dissemination on the Rights and Obligations of Fisher Folks

The fisher folks should know both their rights and obligations. This could be made possible through comprehensive information dissemination program on the topics pertinent to fishing operations. The Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology may be tapped to assist in this regard.

Inadequacy of Support Services for Seaweed Farmers

The City significantly contributes to seaweed production in the region. It is thus important to provide market assistance to seaweed growers. Moreover, the provision of drying and other post harvest facilities to other seaweed growers is necessary.

Processing o Fish Products and Seaweed

The volume of production from fisheries and aquatic resources would suffice if the intention is to put up processing facilities in the City. The establishment of fish processing plants would also enhance more production from fishing activities.

2.3.1.2   Trade and Industry

Low Industrial Productivity

Due to inadequate post-harvest handling and storage facilities, collection of products for processing is difficult for processors. Consequently, value-added for agricultural/marine-base products is not optimized and the industries have not developed and expanded as expected.

In Region IX, regional labor productivity is P18, 675 gross domestic products per employed person, which is just 70% of the national average in 1994; it is the lowest in Mindanao.

Low Investment Generation

The creation of a good business climate for investments needs to be undertaken, primarily through the provision of local incentives to priority industries and ease of access to information and business registration. (An investments incentives ordinance is pending before the Sangguniang Panglungsod.)

Similarly, infrastructure support facilities for identified industrial and commercial sites should be prioritized to attract investors from the locality and the BIMP-EAGA. For one, inefficient power distribution is a problem. Also, the transfer of seaport and airport would help a lot to accelerate the industrial development of the city. The poor road condition increases the transport cost of products. This needs to be addressed too.

Poor Access of SMEs to Support Assistance

The small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the city have expressed the need to have access to assistance on financing, technology and marketing, among others.

Further Development of Trading

Trading should be encouraged and developed as the people have shown their inherent skills in trading. Consequently, trading investments on shipping and allied services should be promoted. Similarly, the high cost of shipping and transport is deterring the city from becoming the shopping capital of the BIMP-EAGA.

       2.3.1.3    Tourism

Weak Enforcement of City Ordinances on Environmental Sanitation

It was noted that city ordinances having to do with environmental sanitation were poorly enforced. This is coupled with insufficient support services for solid waste disposal and the lack of appreciation for a clean and beautiful environment on the part of its citizenry.

Lack of Priority Accorded to Tourism

Tourism appears not to be priority of the city government despite its enormous potential to achieve the following:

Income and employment generation

Business development (small manufacturing and retail trade)

Higher tax base for the city government

Environmental conservation

Greater cultural awareness both among the Filipinos as well as the foreign visitors

More intense historical awareness among the people, especially the young, of the critical and

          important participation of the city of Zamboanga in the major events in Philippine History

Positioning of Zamboanga City as a strategic player in the BIMP-EAGA and tourism markets

          especially in cruise shipping

The following may be evidences of this lack of priority:

Deterioration of some tourist attractions, notably Pasonanca Park and Sta. Cruz Island, due to the

          lack of maintenance.

Absence of an operational city tourist information center

Lack of directional signages and standardized tourism markers.

Need to Upgrade Support Infrastructure

There is a need to upgrade support infrastructure such as drainage systems for the city center-based attractions (Plaza Pershing and Petit Barracks) and for the island-based tourist attractions (berthing facilities going to Sta. Cruz Island).

Squatter Encroachment

The problem of squatter encroachment is evident in some tourist areas such as Pasonanca Park and the vicinity of Fort Pillar.

Insufficient Skilled manpower for Tourism

Skilled tourism manpower is necessary to establish the city as a prime tourist destination area in BIMP-EAGA and ASEAN. The personnel of tourist establishments need to undergo a continuous program of human resource development to better address the needs of the visitors.

Lack of Dynamic Government-Private Sector Partnership on Tourism Development

There is a significant segment of the private sector who are all too willing and able to assist the City Government in the drive to upgrade the tourist attractions and facilities of Zamboanga City but are largely untapped by the LGU. This points to need to revitalize and transform the City Tourism Council into a dynamic partnership between the City Government and the private sector to undertake tourism investments

Image Problem

Zamboanga City has an image problem. It is largely perceived as an area with peace and order problems. Damage control has to be done to ensure that anyone, whether domestic or foreign tourist, who visits the city will have fond memories, evoking a desire to return net time, with more of his family members, friends, and associates. Tourism thrives on repeat business and this can only happen when the aspect of security is adequately addressed.

     2.3.2  Agriculture and Fisheries Sub-sector

2.3.2.1    Agricultural Crops Production

Palay Production

Area Harvested

In 1996, a total of 9, 864 hectares were harvested to palay in Zamboanga City. Of these, about 5,267 hectares (or 53% of the total) were irrigated, and the remaining 47%, rain fed. Zamboanga City contributed about 9% of the total area harvested to palay in Region IX (Table III-1). In the irrigated areas, palay is being planted at least twice a year (i.e., two cropping seasons).

The total area harvested to palay has grown at a rate of 1.7% per year from 1980-1996. This trend in Zamboanga City is better than the regional pattern. For the same period covered, total area harvested to palay in the region declined at an average rate of 0.08% per year (Table III-2).

Total Production

Total palay production was estimated at 33, 177 metric tons (mt) in 1996. About 61% of the total produce was from irrigating areas, while the remaining 9% of the total regional production of palay. From 1980-1996, total palay production in Zamboanga City has grown at a rate of 1.7% per year. Except for the province of Zamboanga del Norte, this growth rate is higher than that of Region IX and the provinces in the region.

Average Yield

In 1996, the yield per hectare for palay in Zamboanga City was computed at 3.3 metric tons per hectare (mt/ha). In irrigates areas, the average yield was 3,62 mt/ha; while in rain fed areas, 2.82 mt/ha (Table III-1). Average yield per hectare in Zamboanga City has not significantly increased from 1980-1996. the rate of growth in average yield per hectare was computed at a negligible 0.02% per year from 1980-1996. This is the lowest growth rate among the provinces in Region IX.

Table III-1.  Palay: Estimated Production and Area Harvested By Crop Type, By Region and By Province, 1980-1990

            Figure III-1.   Palay: Production (MT) By Region and By Province, 1980-1996

            Figure III-2.   Palay: Production (MT), Zamboanga City, 1980-1996

Figure III-3.   Palay: Area Harvested (ha.) By Region and By Province, 1980-1996

Figure III-4.   Area Harvested (Ha.), Zamboanga City, 1980-1996

Table III-2.    Palay: Average Annual Geometric Growth Rate and Production, Area Harvested and Average Yield By Region and By Province, 1980-1996

Table III-3.   Palay: Yield Per Hectare (Mt/Ha) By Crop, By Region and By Province, 1980-1990

Figure III-5.   Palay: Average Yield (MT/HA) By Region and By Province, 1980-1996

Figure III-6.   Palay: Average Yield (MT/HA), Zamboanga City, 1980-1996

Corn Production

 Area Harvested

In 1996, the total area harvested to corn was 3, 775 hectares. Zamboanga City contributed only 2% of total regional area harvested to corn. From 1985-1996, the area harvested to corn has not increased much in Zamboanga City (Tables III-4 & 6, Table III-5-Annex).

The total area harvested to corn has significantly declined from 1985-1996 at a rate of 6.59 % per year. At the regional level, though, area planted to corn has declined at an average rate of 0.91% per year. The trend is the same in all the provinces of Region IX.


Total Production

Corn production in 1996 was estimated to be 4, 615 metric tons. Zamboanga City contributed only 2% of regional corn production. Similar to the trend in area planted to corn, the total corn production declined at an average rate of 5.89% from 1985-1996.


Average Yield

The average yield per hectare for corn was computed at a low of 1.12 mt/ha. This yield level is a little higher than the regional average yield of 0.91% mt/ha. and those for the provinces in Region IX. It may be recalled, though, that Zamboanga City contributed only 2% to both regional areas planted to corn and population.

Area Planted and Production of Other Major Crops­

Table III-7 shows the production volumes of different crops in the city.


Coconut

In 1996, total area planted to coconut in Zamboanga City was about 40, 939 hectares, with total production estimated at 330, 133 metric tons. It may be noted that area harvested to coconut is slightly declining through the years.


Banana

In 1996, area harvested to banana was estimated at, 3, 308 hectares; total production of banana for the same year was estimated at 24, 132 metric tons. An increasing trend both in areas harvested and production of banana is evident from 1985-1996.


Cassava

About 1, 848 hectares were harvested to cassava in 1996. Total production of cassava for the same year was estimated at 8, 891 metric tons. Both area planted and production of cassava in Zamboanga City were generally increasing from 1985-1996.


Other Major Crops

Other major crops planted in Zamboanga City in terms of area harvested include coffee (951 hectares), mango (480 hectares), camote, eggplant, and abaca, among others.

Table III-4.  Corn: Production, Harvested and Average Yield By Region  And By Province, 1985-1996

Table III-6.  Corn: Average Annual Geometric Growth Rate Of Production, Area Harvested and Average Yield By Region and By Province, 1985-1996

Figure III-7.   Corn: Production (MT) By Region and By Province,

1985-1996

Figure III-8.  Corn: Area Harvested (ha) By Region and By Province, 1985-1996

Figure III-9.   Corn: Average Yield (Mt/Ha) By Region and By Province, 1985-1996

Table III-7. Crop Production and Harvested, Zamboanga City (Crop Production in Kilograms, Area in Hectares), 1985-1992

Table III-7 (cont’d).   Crop Production and Harvested, Zamboanga City (Crop Production in Kilograms, Area in Hectares), 1985-1992

Figure III-10.   Crop Production (in kgs.), Zamboanga City, 1996

Figure III-11.   Area Harvested (Ha) by Crop Type, Zamboanga City, 1996

2.3.2.2        Irrigation

Service Area

To date, a total of 2, 718 hectares of agricultural lands in Zamboanga City are irrigated. Of these, 1991 hectares (73% of the total) are under the Communal Irrigation System (CIS). The remaining 727 hectares (27%( are under private irrigation. The bul;k of the existing CIS irrigation in Zamboanga City in terms of actual area irrigated include Mercedes CIS (636 hectares), Manicahan CIS (250 hectares), Ayala CIS (187 hectares), Preza Mayor CIS (150 hectares), and Curuan CIS (115 hectares), among others. On the other hand, private irrigation systems are mostly located in Sibulao, Bingkol, Tamion, and Siguinan (Tables III-8 to III-10).

Table III-8.   Zamboanga City Irrigation Profile, Communal and Private System

Source: NIA, Region IX

Table III-9.   Existing CIS in Zamboanga City, August 1997

                Source: NIA, Region IX

Table III-10.   Existing Private Systems of Zamboanga City, August 1997