Misamis oriental: Del Monte Philippines Inc. (DMPI) has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Phividec Industrial Authority to develop a temporary plantation for papaya and pineapple, with an initial investment of PHP22.8 million. The agreement was signed on Friday and aims to utilize 226.4 hectares of land within the Phividec Industrial Estate, covering the municipalities of Tagoloan and Villanueva.

According to Philippines News Agency, Phividec Administrator Cid Bernedo stated that the MOA permits Del Monte to use the idle lands for agricultural purposes, allowing the government to earn revenue from properties that have long been unproductive. Bernedo highlighted that these lands have been previously subjected to informal farming and illegal activities, which have not generated any income for the government.

Of the total area allocated, 107.1 hectares will be dedicated to papaya cultivation, while the remaining 119.3 hectares will be used to grow Sweet 16 and Clone 74 pineapple varieties.