BACOLOD City – The municipality of La Castellana in Negros Occidental, home of the award-winning saba sticks, is planning to establish an economic zone (ecozone) to expand the town’s banana production.
Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Manguilimutan said a portion of the ecozone will be devoted to banana plantations, which will regulate shipments and ensure ample supply of raw materials.
“The local government unit has been a partner in the production of saba sticks. We provide producers with capitalization and help them promote their products,” she noted.
The town official underscored the need to regulate the shipping out of banana, particularly the sab-a or cardaba variety, as a measure to sustain the production of saba sticks.
“There is high market potential for the product, we have seen the huge demand,” the mayor said.
She added the municipality will also provide additional capitalization for saba sticks producers.
The production of banana sticks started two years ago as part of the livelihood program of the local government.
Recently, La Castellana received the award for “Best Innovative Saba Banana Snack Food Products” in the 16th Q Asia’s National Product Quality Awards 2019 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
Nicor-Manguilimutan said she will request the Municipal Council to pass an ordinance regulating the “exit or shipping out” of bananas to be sold in markets outside the town. (With a report from PNA/PN)
