Municipal council members from Rota and Tinian went on a trade mission to the Philippines early this month to “study modern technologies in vegetable production and farming industry.”
Rota Municipal Council Vice Chairman Alfred M. Apatang Jr. said they visited Cebu, Tagaytay, Cavite and met with Philippine businessman, government officials and experts in agriculture.
Apatang said they were impressed with the “massive production” of lettuce by a private farm that supplies vegetable products to prominent fastfood chains in the country.
The geographical location of Rota makes it ideal for lettuce farming, in addition to its regular root crop produce, Apatang said.
He said the military buildup on Guam will result in an increase in demand for food supplies.
“We have anticipated that and we are preparing to help boost the economy on Rota and the livelihood of the local residents through farming,” Apatang said.
As soon as Rota acquires sufficient knowledge in lettuce production and other agricultural products, a loan program for farmers will commence, he said.
The Rota Municipal Council, he added, will find ways to fund this loan program.
Apatang said they also considered adopting the brick-making technology that uses plastic waste, which will help eliminate trash on Rota while producing construction materials.
Their “trade mission,” he added, helped Rota establish business relationships with key Philippine cities.
Apatang said they are hoping to establish sister-city relationships with progressive cities in the Philippines.
He did not disclose the amount of taxpayers’ money they spent for their trip to the Philippines.
