MANKAYAN, Benguet – The municipal government is banking on agriculture, tourism, among others. as the town’s major economic drivers in the future, especially when the existing operation of the large-scale mining companies in the municipality will end their prescribed mine life.
Mayor Frenzel Ayong said it will be best for the municipal government to embrace programs, projects and activities that advance the state of agriculture and tourism in the municipality so these sectors can contribute to the overall growth and development of the town and not be too dependent on mining as its source of income for its priority development programs.
“We have to make sure Mankayan will still remain competitive even when existing large-scale mining companies will end their prescribed mine life and the way to go is to start supporting the different programs, projects and activities of the different sectors that will make the same vibrant development in the future, “ Mayor Ayong stressed.
The municipal chief executive underscored the need for the municipal government to refocus its priority interventions to the different sectors, especially agriculture and tourism, that are projected to help sustain the growth and development the municipality was able to achieve without leaving the other sectors behind as there are bright prospects for the development of other small and medium enterprises in the various barangays.
According to him, the municipal government will not leave any stone unturned to capacitate other sectors to be part of the projected growth and development of the municipality for them to remain thriving once existing mining operations will end their operations leaving the concerned government agencies, the municipal government and the different sectors to sustain the economic activities and sources of livelihood of the people.
Currently, the upland barangays of the municipality are a major source of highland vegetables being sold at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post while the lower portion of the town hosts the mining operations and other major economic activities.
Ayong pointed out the municipal government needs to craft the appropriate programs and projects to develop the potentials of the different sectors that will generate more jobs and sources of livelihood so the people in the different barangays will not be enticed to move out of the municipality and look for greener pasture.
He urged interested investors on agriculture and tourist to pursue their desired business activities in the municipality to help improve the economic activities thereat and create more jobs and increase revenues for the municipality.
Mankayan is one of the first-class municipalities in Benguet that heavily rely on mining as its source of income from the large-scale mining companies in the municipality for over several decades now but municipal officials are now faced with a challenge on how to maintain such classification with the impending end of mine life of the said companies.
By HENT
