Koronadal revives flower trade
KORONADAL CITY — The city government here has built a mini-irrigation dam in Barangay Saravia, once popular for producing flowers, in a bid to revive the industry that has struggled to stay on its feet due to lack of infrastructure and marketing support.
Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena said on Sunday that his administration shall “reboot” the now apparently moribund flower production in the village, an erstwhile main source of income for residents.
Last week, he announced over Catholic Station DXOM here that the mini-irrigation dam has been built completely and can now irrigate farms around Barangay Saravia for residents to engage again in large-scale propagation of flowering plants like roses.
South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr. said on Sunday that the provincial government is ready to back the efforts of the mayor.
“Flower production started here decades ago. We can construct some more mini-irrigation dams like this to revive the industry. We shall provide farmers with needed support this time,” Mr. Ogena said.
Koronadal City, covering 27 barangays, is the capital of South Cotabato and seat of Administrative Region 12. — John Felix M. Unson