The
highest total shipcalls for both PMO-Polloc & Cotabato
Terminal were cited in 1997 for domestic with a total of
4,229 shipcalls while foreign shipcalls were cited in 1995
with 15. The lowest shipcalls were in 1996 with 2,441
shipcalls for domestic only and 9 shipcalls for foreign.
Total Gross Registered Tonage for both domestic & foreign
registered the highest figure in 1997 with 2,271,592 while
the lowest tonage in 1996 with 1,672,298.
Cargo throughout the city was based on two (a) port areas
namely, PMO-Polloc and Cotabato Terminal. The highest
cargo throughout for both port areas was in 1997 with a
total of 86,441 MT both domestic and foreign while the
lowest cargo throughout was in 1995 with a total of
673,047 MT. A difference of 195,394 MT.
Problems/Issues:
-
Poor maintenance of the Mega Market
- The
need for restoration of the old market
-
Lack of facilities in the Mega Market
-
Lack of adequate facilities especially water disposal area
and constant threat to the health conditions of the
residents within the vicinity of the slaughterhouse.
- The
need to put-up one terminal complex with adequate
facilities to serve the commuting public.
- The
need to identify additional expansion area for commercial
use.
-
There is a strong mix of commerce and residential uses in
the CBD.
-
Lack of definite guidelines on the use of land by existing
industries within the residential areas to ensure future
operations of SME’s.
Goal and Objectives
Goal:
A dynamic, robust and wealth generating economy in which
business is profitable, productive and highly competitive,
thereby attaining desirable distribution and rage of
commercial activities that will serve the needs of the
city’s population and subsequently attaining a desirable
level of commercial peace for the economic growth of the
city.
Objectives:
- To
encourage the private sector to put-up business
establishment of desirable structures in the identified
commercial areas.
- To
promote the present condition of the mega-market into one
which is conducive to health and safety of the residents
of the city.
- To
provide basic facilities and services where lacking and
augment existing ones in the CBD.
Policies and Strategies
The City Government should encourage the development of
commercial land that is compatible with and complementary
to surrounding/neighboring uses and to provide sufficient
lands for the location of commercial establishments with
due regard for future expansion.
Requirements and Needs
-
Provision of development funds for the improvement,
enhancement and maintenance of the mega market and
slaughter house by year 2000.
-
The
construction of a Terminal Complex complete with
facilities and services for the convenience of the
commuting public.
-
The
need to identify parking or garage spaces with storage
or cargo facilities for container trucks/haulers/cargo
trucks ensuring the safety of the residents in the
barangay;
-
Provision of public restrooms within the market site.
Manufacturing and Industry
Profile
Cotabato City is not gifted with minerals potential for
mining although the quarrying industry is a brighter
prospect due to natural resources abounding in the
periphery of the city outside of the urban limits.
Small-scale industries are in noodles production, candies,
ceramics, wood and other wood products, handicrafts, brass
making and loom weaving. Agricultural raw materials are
processed through a number of rice and corn mills most of
which are located in the rural barangays. Since
agriculture was unable to furnish either additional jobs
or substantially increased income of farmers, potential
development factors show that new industrial enterprises
would have to play key roles in the full development of
the city. As agricultural raw materials will be channeled
to the city via the MCRAIc for processing, the prospect
for the growth of feed mill industry is promising as
abundant wastes in milled agricultural products could be
used in the feeds manufacturing industry. Either secondary
industries could take off from the activity. The MKDA
could be an appropriate entity to spur the industrial
growth of the city.
At present, the biggest industrial activity is in trading
with 829 number of establishments. Existing area where
these industrial activities are located are various in
barangays.
Most of the industrial workers are employed in the trading
industry. The rich and diversified cultures of the people
in Cotabato City are made visible through the number of
handicrafts produced only in the city. The tourism sector
will also play a significant role in the growth of these
native crafts as it will serve as the ultimate attraction
that will showcase the available native products, man-made
and natural attractions and investment opportunities that
the city could offer.
Problems/Issues
-
Lack
of capital/collateral
-
High
interest rate/too much paperwork/processing time for
credit/loan assistance
-
Low
quality of products
-
Lack
of entrepreneurial skills
-
Production of crafts is quite low
-
Inadequate market linkages
-
Lack
of design/packaging capabilities
-
Poor
distribution problems
-
Poor
technical trainings
-
Production is more on local consumption and outside
market is nil
-
Lack
of efficient channels which link up small enterprises
and supplier of raw materials
-
Almost all native/natural products are subject to open
market forces
-
Inadequate management skills
-
Quality of products are not export-oriented
Goals/Objectives
Goals:
To promote and develop small and medium-scale, high impact
projects that woul contribute to the city’s economic
growth.
To promote self-reliance through the utilization and
mobilization of local resources in the establishment of
agri-based industries requiring less investments.
Objectives:
To develop and provide opportunities in labor-intensive,
resource-oriented small and medium scale industries
through city government initiated financial support and
the private sector, primarily those in the cottage and
manufacturing industries.
To build-up the technological capability of the
manufacturing and industrial sector towards a more
sustainable growth.
Policies/Strategies
In the promotion of industrial and manufacturing
activities, the city government will have to focus its
concerns, provide directions and install appropriate
mechanisms in:
-
Extending financial assistance and technology upgrading
to existing viable cottage industries
-
Putting up of projects abounding in the area to generate
local employment and livelihood opportunities
-
Identifying a suitable location for the growth of
cottage industries via provision of adequate infra
support and facilities such as roads, lighting, water
and efficient communication services
-
Strengthening marketing systems and provision of
storage/warehouses thus reducing product damage or
losses and to ensure higher return of investments
-
Granting of tax holidays to entrepreneurs
-
Marketing incentives to stabilize prices and improve
farm gate prices
The
city government in cooperation with the DTI and the BOI
shall provide assistance towards the development of
industry and trade potentials in the city via the
provision of technical services such as regulating or
licensing of business, institutional building or
organizing industry, trade groups and other development
assistance such as identifying trade opportunities for
both foreign and domestic markets; development of cottage;
small and medium industries through the provision of
manpower and technical consultancy services, preparation
of project feasibility studies and referrals.
The DTI, BOI and the city government will seek to enhance
the capability and capacity of small and medium industry
firms to produce quality standard products for stability
and growth.
Local handicrafts production shall be geared for export.
The
city government shall strive to strengthen existing
people’s organizations or cooperatives in industry related
activities.
Requirements/Needs
The city government will exert effort to establish/pursue
the following within the plan period 1999- 2003;2008:
-
Operationalization of the MCRAIC
-
To
put-up at least five (5) rattan, bamboo/wood industries
of export quality.
-
To
put-up one (1) display center to showcase the promotion
of native crafts.
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