The Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Rubber Farmers Association (PRFA) and PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines, Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of the first-ever local manufacturer of cargo tires in the country on March 7, 2017 at the Malacańan Palace.
Under the MOU, the DA, PRFA and Phoenix Petroleum agree to invest on the construction of Pilipinas Agila Tyre Manufacturing in the country. They also agreed to participate the conduct of preparatory activities including the kick-off of a feasibility study for the establishment of the Pilipinas Agila factory in Mindanao.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Pińol expressed optimism stressing that the initiative could be a game changer in the local rubber industry.
“Other Asian countries have already established their own tire manufacturing company, why can’t we also do that?” Pińol said.
“A tire factory in the Philippines will also mean a stable income for the country’s growing number of rubber farmers,” he added.
To fulfill the project, DA has organized groups of rubber farmers, which formed the PRFA. The organization aims to mobilize Filipino rubber farmers to become active partners of the government in promoting their own welfare and in the development of the rubber industry in general.
On the other hand, PHOENIX Petroleum in partnership with Finland tire manufacturer Black Donuts Engineering, Inc., will help in the financial and technical assistance to farmers for the establishment of the tire factory.
Last January, a group from the Black Donuts Engineering Inc. visited rubber plantations in Mindanao to assess the capability of farmers to operate the tire factory.
Once fully operational, the facility is expected to produce about 4 million rubber tires every year intended for passenger vehicles, cargo, small pick-ups and agricultural machineries. ### (Kristel Merle, DA-AFID)
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel F. Pinol signs a Memorandum of Understanding with PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines, Inc. chief executive officer Dennis Uy (seated at the 2nd row) and Philippine Rubber Farmers Association (PRFA) president Armando Zaragoza (seated at the 1st row) for the establishment of the first-ever local manufacturer of cargo tires in the country on March 7, 2017 at the Malacańan Palace. DA, PRFA and Phoenix Petroleum agreed to invest on the construction of Pilipinas Agila Tyre Manufacturing in the country. They also agreed to participate the conduct of preparatory activities like the start of a feasibility study for the establishment of the Pilipinas Agila factory in Mindanao. ### (Photo by Gian Carlo Luague, DA-AFID)
