The low production of corn, which is the number one farm produce of Dauin, Oriental Negros, was cited as the root cause of poverty in the town.

Representatives from the University of the Philippines-Manila were in Dauin yesterday to conduct an accounting of how the town was able to cope with the problem.

Under a World Bank-sponsored project, solutions were conceptualized to increase the corn yield by groups, including coffee processing and bringing them to Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, handicraft making, and dive guiding.

Mayor Rodrigo Alanano said he wanted to strictly enforce the working visa requirements of dive guides, among which, is for them to acquire business permits.

Alice Celestino from UP Manila said lessons learned from the experience in Dauin will be replicated in other areas in the country.

Dauin is fortunate to be a recipient of the World Bank project among seven beneficiaries throughout the Philippines, she said.*

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