Maguindanao upland town, Japanese firm forge joint venture to produce kimchi

MATANOG, Maguindanao – A Japanese investor and the local government here have signed a P5 billion investment for the production of export quality kimchi, (pickles) and expected to provide employment to the locals.Witnessed by Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Toto Mangudadatu, Japanese firm senior consultant Kazuo Sato signed a partnership deal with Mayor Mohammad Ali Kits Guro Sunday.The agreement, under the private-public partnership mechanism, will allow Sato’s Global Trade Company Limited, to develop the local onions prevalent in this upland town into kimchi, a staple in Korean cuisine. We have plenty of local onions here we call Sakurab and be made into kimchi, Guro said of the Korean traditional side dish made from salted and fermented vegetables, most commonly napa cabbage and Korean radishes. Sakurab (Scallion bulbs) is identified with the Maranaos from two Lanao provinces and Iranun tribe in northern Maguindanao.The Global Trade Company Limited will develop kimchi out of native onions from Matanog and export these products into the international market, including Russia, North America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Arab countries.Sato said the tropical weather and the over-pouring supply of Sakurab convinced his firm to invest in Matanog. The accessibility of the project site to the region’s seaport was also a plus factor. Matanog is about an hour drive to the Polloc Port in Parang, Maguindanao.Sato, Global Trade Company Limited senior consultant, said his firm is also interested in developing and exporting Matanog’s tropical fruits and vegetables like Marang, Japanese cabbage, chili, okra, carrot and radish, a major component of wasabi. The signing of the partnership came while the Muslims in Matanog were celebrating Eud’l Fitre (Feast of Sacrifice) during which Sato presented a sakurab kimchi with chili flavor for all to taste and enjoy.Matanog was in the middle of government war against Moro rebellion in 2000 since it is located within the perimeter of then Camp Abubakar, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) bastion.The MILF had already forged a peace deal with the national government and will soon take over the current autonomous region.Matanog is also known as home of the Muslim rido (clan war), due to high incidents of bloody clan wars.The so called widows of war, a group of Matanog women whose rebel-husbands were killed during the all-out war are given priority for employment, Guro said. Sakurab is very independent and special product, we can promote the Philippine made sakurab into the international market, Sato said, adding that the appetizer will be distributed to the supermarkets, hotels and restaurants abroad and for school and military meals overseas.Mangudadatu said the project will cover about 100 hectares of plantation in Matanog and will definitely help prevent the occurrence of clan wars. When the area is peaceful and no clan wars, investors will come in like Global Trade company, Mangudadatu stressed. This can be translated into employment opportunities for the local people and they will have money to send their children to schools. I am so happy the Japanese firm found us and this partnership will mean more income for our people and many of them will be encouraged to plant sakurab, Mayor Guro said.