Pubdate: Wed, 25 Feb 2004
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
Author: Ben O. Tesiorna

MJ REPLACING CORN AS DAVAO SUR CASH CROP

DAVAO CITY -- Marijuana is reportedly replacing corn as the main cash
crop in Davao del Sur, authorities said.

Lt. Col. Hernando Iriberri, chief of the Army's 25th Infantry
Battalion, said the drug problem in Davao del Sur has to be addressed
by the government by providing farmers better livelihood programs.

"It's a social problem. Just imagine transporting one sack of corn
from the upland. How much are you going to earn from it? Unlike
transporting a sack of marijuana, its lighter and you will earn much
more compared to a sack of corn. So it's really a problem that should
be solved by providing them a credible livelihood project for these
natives," Iriberri said.

A sack of corn, about 50 kilos, is estimated to cost P90, while a sack
of marijuana, which is lighter in weight, costs thousands of pesos.

Authorities were alarmed of developments that farmers in the upland,
and even the natives, have shifted their produce from corn to marijuana.

Reports reaching police authorities revealed in Kiblawan, a mountain
barangay in Davao del Sur, about 10 hectares of marijuana plantation
has been discovered, with the harvest estimated to cost about P30 million.

Police said marijuana has become a multi-million business in the
province, with exporters luring B'laan natives in the hinterlands to
plant marijuana, instead of corn.

Sr. Supt. Samuel Navaja, Davao del Sur provincial police director
earlier told reporters that Davao del Sur is now exporting marijuana
leaves and plants to neighboring countries, like Indonesia.

Navaja said they are now strengthening monitoring on areas suspected
to be part of the marijuana trade route in Davao del Sur. These areas
are Kiblawan, Don Marcelino and Malita.

Authorities are having a difficult time running after these
plantations because of the "rough terrain of these areas."

Most of those marijuana exporters arrested by police admitted the
excellent quality of marijuana plants in the province.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake