The Philippine Fresh Fruit Development Corporation has resumed operation after Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte had assured it the stability of its business activities in barangay Panalum and Upper Mabuhay in Paquibato district.

The company which suffered twin burnings of its banana packing plants in the evening of September 10 by New People’s Army rebels led by Leonardo Pitao, alias commander Parago, deci-ded to return to operate since it trusts and respects the words of the mayor.

Workers and their families were happy to hear of the news since it assured their livelihood. The wife of one of the Muslim workers said “Naglibog gyud mi kung unsaon na lang kung mawala ang Fresh Fruits diri sa among lugar. Dakong pasalamat namo kang Mayor Duterte sa iyang sugyot sa kompanya nga mo-operate ug balik, ug pagpasalig nga istoryahon si Komander Parago nga dili na niya usabon ang paghatag ug kadaot sa kompanya kay nakahatag kini ug kadaot sa panginabuhi sa mga mulopyo sa among dapit.”

The company stressed that the initial 20 percent of the operation will be implemented as seven hectares of harvestable bananas are greatly affected by the boxes quota of bananans. The firm constructed a make shift packing plants to continue its packing activities.

One worker said “Ang among hitsura diri murag kawatan ug saging, pero sige lang kay ang importante, kabalik mi ug trabaho.”