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A. Agriculture
Of the total land area devoted for agriculture there were 9,573.5700 hectares or 45% are planted with exportable banana (Cavendish) and 1,500 hectares for local bananas; 3,987 hectares or 19% are planted with coconut; rice lands, both irrigated and non-irrigated, accounted for 860.3966 hectares or 4.06%. Other cash crops like mango, citrus and vegetables abound in other parts of the City. The total production and the value of production by crop show that banana major source of income in the City. However, rice and coconut remain to be the major contributors of agricultural income in Panabo. B. Agrarian Reform The City of Panabo has approximately 4,627.6877 hectares that is covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). This represents 22% of the total agricultural land. The carpable lands are primarily utilized for agriculture and these areas are planted to rice, corn, coconut, banana, fruit trees, and vegetables. Agrarian Reform is one of the top programs for change and development. It is the linchpin of the countryside that expands its coverage beyond the traditional rice, corn lands and all other agricultural lands. The program is an honest attempt of representing some of the important aspects of program direction to help the implementing agency give an insight of reaching the multi-dimensional vision of the CARP.
C. Trade and Commerce The City of Panabo is considered an investment destination that offers a variety of opportunities considering its strategic location (being close to Davao City, Tagum City and Island Garden City of Samal), vast agriculture attributes existence of quality public service utilities and sea port facilities to assist different trading activities. The agricultural sector serves as the baseline of most commercial transactions in the City. The exchange of goods and services is being done in the commercial areas of the CENTRAL AND PREMIUMED MARKET. It is one of the priorities of the City Government to develop and expand the scheme of productivity in commerce. There is an increase in the number of establishments operating in the city from 1998-2003. There are four (4) types of commercial establishments categorized as micro, cottage, small, medium and large in the level of its capital investments. Commercial establishments like supermarkets department stores, sari-sari stores, restaurants, eateries, banks, hardware dealers and other major businesses are situated in the major commercial areas. Based on the records of Business and Licensing Bureau of the City Administrator’s Office, there are 4,230 registered commercial establishments distributed among the barangays.
D. Industry A significant number of cooperatives are also engaged in the production of agricultural crops, livestock and poultry production. The City of Panabo, although largely agricultural, has large industrial establishments as well. These industrial firms play an important role in providing employment to the growing population of the City. Industrial activities will continue to play a major and significant role in the City’s economic development. The local industrial development objectives are to intensify the agri and agro industries in the designated zones. Industrial development will also be regulated so as to minimize their adverse effects on the environment. Vital to the industrialization strategy is the rezoning of the city’s existing land use vis a vis the industrial areas presently allocated in the existing agricultural zones that are not performing efficiently. |