Magno backs durian industry in Davao City

  

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DAVAO CITY – Presidential Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno vowed to support the endeavors of the durian industry here.

PRESIDENTIAL Assistant for Eastern Mindanao Leo Tereso Magno checks out durian products at the Philippine Asia Durian Summit in Davao City. (FB) 

Magno expressed his full support for the durian industry, particularly during its current growth phase, at the first-ever Philippine Asia Durian Summit at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang here on October 26.

“During my discussion with Mr. (Emmanuel) Belviz, I advised him to compile a list of the items or resources required by his group,” Magno said, adding that the help the government would extend should come from them as they possess first-hand knowledge of their specific needs.

Emmanuel S. Belviz, president of the Durian Industry Association in Davao City (DIADC), said the sector intends to establish durable internal connections within the industry and government and private organizations.

Magno said that one of the things that the durian industry needs is irrigation. He added that with all the private sector’s efforts, the government will always do its part to help them. 

Belviz said that with increased executive support and collaborative efforts among stakeholders, the country has the potential to establish itself as a prominent participant in the worldwide durian industry.

Department of Agriculture (DAs) High-Value Crops Development Program Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said the summit intends to enhance durian production by providing superior planting materials and expanding fruit cultivation by 2023.

Belviz presented an outline of the industry’s status in the country, stressing the significance of the initial shipment of Philippine durian to China in April this year as a pivotal moment for the regional durian sector.

From 2014 to 2022, the Philippines maintained its position in the international market’s upper decile of fresh durian exporters. In this city, four farmers have started exporting durians to other parts of the world.

The three-day summit featured at least 100 exhibitors, six representing Malaysia and China. Thailand and Malaysia provides  insights on cultivation and market trends for durian.

First Time Eating Durian - I LOVE DURIAN!!!!

The Durian Legend

A long time ago there lived an ugly, old but powerful king named Barom-Mai in Calinan near Davao City. He married the young and beautiful Madayaw-Bayho, a daughter of Tageb, king of the sea pirates who ruled the islands of Ligid, Talicud and Samal. But Madayaw-Bayho did not love the king: so she often ran away from his kingdom. But her father always returned her to the king. One day, she ran away, and vowed never to return to the king. Because of this King Barom-Mai told his advisers, headed by Matigam, to find a way to make his wife love him.

When the king met the hermit, the hermit said to him to get three things: the egg of the black tabon, twelve ladies of white carabao's milk, and the nectar from the flower of the tree-of-make believe, because the egg would soften the heart of the princess, the milk would make her kind and the nectar would make her see the king as young and handsome. 

Pawikan, king of the sea turtles, helped him secure the tabon's egg. The king also easily got the milk. He procured the flower with the help of Hangin-Bai, a wood nymph. He gave the three things to the hermit who mixed the nectar, the milk and the egg together and told him to plant it. It grew into a durian tree!

He brought the fruit to his wife who ate it. After eating, she fell in love with the king who looked young and handsome. They returned to their kingdom and feasted. they forgot to invite the hermit who said angrily that the delicious fruit with offensive odor be covered with thorns. Since then the durian fruit is thorny but delicious.