GENERAL SANTOS CITY — In a bid to attract more investments, the municipal government of Surallah in South Cotabato is planning to develop a hub for industrial companies.
Surallah Mayor Antonio Bendita said Monday studies are underway for the establishment of the proposed industrial site, which will be patterned after the integrated industrial estates and parks in the Luzon area.
Bendita cited in particular the thriving industrial sites in Cavite province that anchored the area’s rapid development these past years.
“This will help generate more income for the municipal government and eventually expand the local economy,” he said.
Citing their initial plans, Bendita said the planned industrial hub will mainly cater to factories or manufacturing and processing companies as well as other industries.
He said the local government will develop the site and lease out apportioned lots to potential locators.
The mayor said they are currently considering an eight-hectare property in Barangay Centrala that was earlier purchased by the local government as among the potential sites of the industrial hub.
He said the local government has spent around P12 for the acquisition of the land, which was initially intended as site for a proposed provincial sports complex.
The provincial governmen earlier committed to establish an alternate sports complex in Surallah and required the municipal government to prepare a site as counterpart.
Bendita said they are currently waiting for confirmation from the provincial government if the project will push through.
“If not, then we will proceed with its development as industrial site,” he said.
Classified as a first class municipality, Surallah is currently among the emerging economic and commercial centers in South Cotabato.
It hosts banana plantations of Sumifru Philippines and a canning plant of the Dole Philippines Inc.
The municipality was declared an alternate provincial agro-industrial center being a major producer of corn and rice and serves as the economic center of the province upper valley area. (PNA)
