Secretaries Manny F. Piñol (Agriculture) and Ramon Lopez (Trade and Industry) lead the signing of the Joint Statement of Commitment for the Philippine Rubber Industry, today, April 16, 2018 at the Department of Trade and Industry office in Makati.

DA and DTI, together with the Departments of Science and Technology, Environment and Natural Resources, and Agrarian Reform, together with the stakeholders of the rubber industry and the academe have forged a partnership to fully support the development of the rubber industry thru the implementation of the Philippine Rubber Industry Roadmap 2017-2022.

The 6-year project tool aims to generate investments and increase domestic and export sales, increase income and create income-generating activities. Ultimately the roadmap will contribute to the inclusive growth and poverty alleviation of rubber-producing provinces in Southern Philippines.

The Joint Statement was also signed by representatives of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Mindanao Development Authority, University of Southern Mindanao, Philippine Rubber Industries Association, and the Philippine Rubber Farmers’ Association. ### (Photo by Gian Carlo Luague/DA-AFID)