THE Davao del Norte provincial government, Tagum Agricultural Development Co. Inc. and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has finally signed the compromise deal ending the standoff over the threatened removal of Tadeco’s biosecurity facility in one of the country’s biggest banana plantations.
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chairman Emmanuel F. Piñol announced on Tuesday night that the parties have already inked the deal, a result of two-week intense negotiations to resolve the conflict “which nearly resulted in a bloodshed.”
“Political adversaries [Davao del Norte] Gov. Edwin Jubahib and former Congressman Anton Lagdameo, along with the representative of BuCor, Director Gerald Bantag, shared coffee in the Office of the Chairman of Mindanao Development Authority before signing the agreement in front of members of the media and officials of MinDA,” Piñol said in his post.
Tadeco Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Zeus Vadil signed the agreement for Tadeco while Lagdameo, as president of Anflo Industrial Group, represented the Floirendo family during the signing as witness. In explaining the details of the agreement, Piñol said the agreement stipulated that the roads inside the 5,000-hectare plantation will be opened to commuters and vehicles—a core issue raised by Jubahib.
“It also allowed Tadeco to retain its biosecurity facilities while BuCor will maintain its security personnel at the gates,” he said.
Piñol said there will be a ceremonial opening of one of the two roads today (October 24) where passersby will be allowed without the previously required Gate Pass.
He said the parties also agreed to submit the document to the Regional Trial Court of Tagum City and seek the dismissal of the cases on the dispute.
Two weeks ago, the Panabo City Regional Trial Court granted Tadeco’s prayer for a 72-hour temporary restraining order against the removal of the firm’s biosecurity facility.
The court argued that Tadeco was able to prove that removing the facilities will expose its banana plantation to Fusarium wilt.
Davao del Norte is infected with Fusarium wilt and has since been placed under quarantine by the Bureau of Plant Industry, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.