High-value crops eyed for Aeta livelihood

April 7, 2011

PORAC — Government officials and members of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) are now looking on the possibility of putting up high-value crop industries for Aeta tribes here.
The move is seen as an added livelihood program for the Aeta tribes in the villages of Sapang Uwak, Inararo and Villa Maria.
Governor Lilia Pineda said the Provincial Government would like to give Aetas a better chance to earn a living through high-value crop production.
She said she has been taking the cue from second district Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to entertain the possibility of helping the Aetas develop their lands.
PamCham Vice Chairman Rene Romero said they see the possibility of establishing coffee, banana and vegetable farming in the areas designated as Ancestral Domain lands for the Aetas.
“We dream of seeing vegetables like Baguio beans, sweet peas, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and few others usually grown in Baguio City to be planted along the areas of the Porac Highlands,” Romero said.
The planned introduction of high-value crops in the area is expected to become a fallback industry for the Aetas during the rainy season.
Recently, the Provincial Government has started the plan to develop the Porac highlands into a tourism destination.
“The problem we see is that the tourism potential of the town will not be enough to improve the income of the whole communities. If we give them (Aetas) the needed livelihood, they have a better chance of improving their standard of living,” Romero said.
Romero said plans for the establishment of support industries that would handle potential produce from the Porac highlands are now in the works.

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/2011/04/07/high-value-crops-eyed-aeta-livelihood-149127

With new golf courses springing up in and around Clark Philippines and an ever-increasing patronage by tourists from neighboring South Korea, Clark Freeport is short on hotel accommodation.

Even with the addition of 27 holes in 2009 and 2010, there is an acute shortage golf tee times for at least 5-6 months each year. Local players compete with frustrated (golf) tourists from Korea and China for tee times. Unfortunately Clark Philippines doesn’t have the luxury of vast tracts of land suitable for this type of development.

Mimosa offers 36 holes of championship golf, visitors can pay and play, busy during the weekends but not that difficult to get on or join up with a group to form a 4-ball. The new FAKCC offers 27 holes of world-class golf.

This web site contains articles and information that will be helpful to visitors, residents and tourists traveling out of town from Manila on a short getaway to Subic, Angeles City, Pampanga and Clark Philippines. There are several web sites that contain information that might also be pertinent to what is happening in North Luzon.

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For assistance with lodgings, accommodations, hotels and resorts near Manila in Subic, Pampanga, Angels City and Clark Philippines log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com